Original 67 BB dipstick

[Stephen L.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

This will cost a few bucks but will insure that you have the proper amount of oil (per GM) in the engine.
Drain all the oil from the engine. remove and replace the filter element (Save the old one for a future change if there few miles on it and you want to keep the PF141)
Install 5 quarts of oil. Check the oil level with both sticks you have and record the amount as shown on the sticks. Start/run the engine for 5 minutes to completely fill the filter canister. Immediately check the oil level with both sticks and record. Wait about 10 minutes (oil drain down) and record the level again using both sticks.
At this point the level should be close to "add" if the stick, oil pan, and oil tube are correct for your engine.
Now add an additional quart (6 quarts total per GM including filter change) and check/record levels with both sticks.
You now have an accurate quantity of oil in the engine and can eliminate this variable from your problem. (Note oil pan quantities below)
I attempted to measure the tube length of my original 67 427/390 but was unsuccessful to get an accurate measurement. It was about 13 3/4" +/- 1/4"......
The dimensions of my original dipstick are:
Overall length (tip to top of handle):21-5/8"
Tip to "add" mark: 7/8"
Tip to "full" mark: 1-9/16"
Top of tube to top of welded bracket (manifold attachment): 1-3/8"
Length of dip stick from tip to the inside of the collar: 19-1/16" I used a small drill bit to get the inside collar dimension and added this to exposed stick length (18-1/4" + 13/16" = 19-1/16")

Per the GM 1967 SERVICE MANUAL
Chevrolet 427 engines use 4 qts + 1 for filter
Corvette 427 engines use 5 qts + 1 for filter

Good luck....Steve

[Michael J.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

This will cost a few bucks but will insure that you have the proper amount of oil (per GM) in the engine.
Drain all the oil from the engine. remove and replace the filter element (Save the old one for a future change if there few miles on it and you want to keep the PF141)
Install 5 quarts of oil. Check the oil level with both sticks you have and record the amount as shown on the sticks. Start/run the engine for 5 minutes to completely fill the filter canister. Immediately check the oil level with both sticks and record. Wait about 10 minutes (oil drain down) and record the level again using both sticks.
At this point the level should be close to "add" if the stick, oil pan, and oil tube are correct for your engine.
Now add an additional quart (6 quarts total per GM including filter change) and check/record levels with both sticks.
You now have an accurate quantity of oil in the engine and can eliminate this variable from your problem. (Note oil pan quantities below)
I attempted to measure the tube length of my original 67 427/390 but was unsuccessful to get an accurate measurement. It was about 13 3/4" +/- 1/4"......
The dimensions of my original dipstick are:
Overall length (tip to top of handle):21-5/8"
Tip to "add" mark: 7/8"
Tip to "full" mark: 1-9/16"
Top of tube to top of welded bracket (manifold attachment): 1-3/8"
Length of dip stick from tip to the inside of the collar: 19-1/16" I used a small drill bit to get the inside collar dimension and added this to exposed stick length (18-1/4" + 13/16" = 19-1/16")

Per the GM 1967 SERVICE MANUAL
Chevrolet 427 engines use 4 qts + 1 for filter
Corvette 427 engines use 5 qts + 1 for filter

Good luck....Steve

I think that's an excellent idea. Frankly, I don't think I have ever checked the oil in my Corvettes, and if they pass NCRS judging for the dip stick, I am satisfied. Unless there is a leak or it burns it, no point, and you can always remember when you change it to put the correct amount in, I think……...

[Patrick B.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

This will cost a few bucks but will insure that you have the proper amount of oil (per GM) in the engine.
Drain all the oil from the engine. remove and replace the filter element (Save the old one for a future change if there few miles on it and you want to keep the PF141)
Install 5 quarts of oil. Check the oil level with both sticks you have and record the amount as shown on the sticks. Start/run the engine for 5 minutes to completely fill the filter canister. Immediately check the oil level with both sticks and record. Wait about 10 minutes (oil drain down) and record the level again using both sticks.
At this point the level should be close to "add" if the stick, oil pan, and oil tube are correct for your engine.
Now add an additional quart (6 quarts total per GM including filter change) and check/record levels with both sticks.
You now have an accurate quantity of oil in the engine and can eliminate this variable from your problem. (Note oil pan quantities below)
I attempted to measure the tube length of my original 67 427/390 but was unsuccessful to get an accurate measurement. It was about 13 3/4" +/- 1/4"......
The dimensions of my original dipstick are:
Overall length (tip to top of handle):21-5/8"
Tip to "add" mark: 7/8"
Tip to "full" mark: 1-9/16"
Top of tube to top of welded bracket (manifold attachment): 1-3/8"
Length of dip stick from tip to the inside of the collar: 19-1/16" I used a small drill bit to get the inside collar dimension and added this to exposed stick length (18-1/4" + 13/16" = 19-1/16")

Per the GM 1967 SERVICE MANUAL
Chevrolet 427 engines use 4 qts + 1 for filter
Corvette 427 engines use 5 qts + 1 for filter

Good luck....Steve

I have 2 dipsticks, one from a 67 427 and one from a 66 427 that have the dimensions very close to those supplied by Stephen. The various markings on the dipsticks, the shape of the handles and the salmon colored plugs are identical to those pictured in this thread. However one of them has a chrome plated handle. I wonder if there was a service version of the 427 dipstick with a chrome plated handle?

My other observation is that the span between the full and add marks was 23/32" on both dipsticks. This agrees within 1/32" to the 11/16 span reported by Stephen, but it is very different from the 1 3/32" span reported by Joe in comment #2. Am I reading these figures incorrectly?

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

I have 2 dipsticks, one from a 67 427 and one from a 66 427 that have the dimensions very close to those supplied by Stephen. The various markings on the dipsticks, the shape of the handles and the salmon colored plugs are identical to those pictured in this thread. However one of them has a chrome plated handle. I wonder if there was a service version of the 427 dipstick with a chrome plated handle?

My other observation is that the span between the full and add marks was 23/32" on both dipsticks. This agrees within 1/32" to the 11/16 span reported by Stephen, but it is very different from the 1 3/32" span reported by Joe in comment #2. Am I reading these figures incorrectly?

Patrick------


The dimensions I provided are the ones specified by GM.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

Ara, Robert, Donald and Daniel----- Is the span between the full and ad marks 23/32" or 1 3/32" on your 427 dipsticks?

[Donald A.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

Ara, Robert, Donald and Daniel----- Is the span between the full and ad marks 23/32" or 1 3/32" on your 427 dipsticks?

Mine is 23/32"

[Ara G.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

I will check mine tonight and post....Thanks....

[Daniel E.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

The one I posted a picture of also measures 23/32 between the full and add dots

[Robert M.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

I will try and get a measurement today. I am going to try not losing any sleep. I know the filter was changed and that six qts. of oil was put in. Do I understand correctly that the correct tube has a bend in it? I was told by another source that the original tube is straight. I do not think that is right.

[John H.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

I will try and get a measurement today. I am going to try not losing any sleep. I know the filter was changed and that six qts. of oil was put in. Do I understand correctly that the correct tube has a bend in it? I was told by another source that the original tube is straight. I do not think that is right.

Rob -

The upper 2/3 or so of the BB dipstick tube is straight, and there's a slight bend (like 5* or so) about 4 inches from the bottom end; there's a good photo of one on page 12 in the Paragon catalog.

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

I was told by another source that the original tube is straight. I do not think that is right.

Robert------


This is where part of the confusion occurs. There was a straight dipstick tube used on big blocks. This was GM #3928901. It's applicable to 1968-72 Chevrolet cars with big block EXCEPT Corvette. This is one of those situations that suffers from the "they're all the same" syndrome. Use this tube with a Corvette dipstick and you'll get an inaccurate reading.

By the way, the 3928901 is still available from GM. The GM #3870324 Corvette tube has been discontinued for 45 years.

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

Ara, Robert, Donald and Daniel----- Is the span between the full and ad marks 23/32" or 1 3/32" on your 427 dipsticks?

Patrick------


I think this is a case in which the GM information is incorrect. Either the "seat-to-full" mark dimension or the "seat-to-add" mark dimension or both are inaccurate. I'd like to know what the actual dimensions are as taken from known-original dipsticks.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

Joe---- Stephen's measurements suggest a seat to full length of 17 1/2" and a seat to add length of 18 3/16". I have a loose tube which should make it easier to measure lengths to the seat, and I will check my dipsticks when I go to my garage next week. The dipstick in my 67 L-71 looks just like Stephen's and is very close dimensionally, but the handle (hilt) is chrome plated. Was there a chromed service dipstick? My other dipstick is out of a 66, not chrome plated but otherwise identical.

[Robert M.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

Guys, I really appreciate all the info and measurements, however I am reaching saturation. I know the filter was changed and 6 qts. went in If in fact it truly was a 1/2 qt. over full it is not goiing to cause any problem, but I think it is an inaccuracy.

[Joe L.]

Re: Original 67 BB dipstick

Joe---- Stephen's measurements suggest a seat to full length of 17 1/2" and a seat to add length of 18 3/16". I have a loose tube which should make it easier to measure lengths to the seat, and I will check my dipsticks when I go to my garage next week. The dipstick in my 67 L-71 looks just like Stephen's and is very close dimensionally, but the handle (hilt) is chrome plated. Was there a chromed service dipstick? My other dipstick is out of a 66, not chrome plated but otherwise identical.

Patrick------


Yes, I believe there was a chrome handle big block dipstick. It was GM #3860318. It was supposed to have been used for 1966 L-72 but I don't know if it ever actually was used in PRODUCTION. It was discontinued from SERVICE in July, 1967, curiously without supercession to the standard, non-chrome handle dipstick, GM #3860316.