62 - 62 Corvette dipstick ??

[Edward M.]

OK, here we go again. I am still trying to get a handle on this topic. Here is what we know (or think we know).

62 - 63 low hp engines (250 and 300 hp) originally had a dipstick with a black painted handle. 62 - 63 high hp engines (340 and 360 hp) originally had a dipstick with a chrome plated handle.

Original 62-63 dipsticks had either a letter M or a letter W on them. There "seems" to be a correlation between the letters and the finish on the handle.

So here are the questions for all of you 62 & 63 owners:

1. Is your engine a low hp or high hp engine?
2. Is the finish on your dipstick handle painted black or chrome?
3. Is the letter on your dipstick M or W or something else?
4. Does your dipstick have the phrase "engine oil" on it or not?
5. Are the characters on your dipstick stamped or embossed (raised from the rear)?

Thanks for your help on this. I'll report the results to everyone.

[Bob J.]

Re: 62 - 62 Corvette dipstick ??

Ed, I dont think any 62 Corvettes had a chrome handle.
The chrome handle was added sometime in late 62/early 63 to improve appearance.
Good luck, Bob

[Mike E.]

Re: 62 - 62 Corvette dipstick ??

On 6 different pretty original 62's:
-no chrome
-W or M
-Stamped full and add from the front hard enough to read from the back
-No "engine oil"--very original 64 has that
about 2 fingers width from the "cap" on the shaft to where the handle bends back and almost reaches the shaft--more than that is a later handle
-horsepower rating makes no difference--the pan, the in-pan tube, and the tube sticking out of the block are all the same size/shape/configuration on all 62's--the only potential difference is on a 62 fuel car where there can be interference between the handle and the FI air cleaner, and the tube and handle may be oriented more toward the firewall than perfectly perpendicular

[Donald B.]

Re: 62 - 62 Corvette dipstick ??

My '62 is 250 hp.

The finish is painted not chrome (someone painted it silver but the black is visible where scratched)

M / W - when looking at the dipstick and reading the "Add / Full" markings it is a punched "W".

The only other markings are the "Add" and "Full" which are also punched - enough that you can clearly read them from the reverse side.

[David L.]

Re: 58 - 63 Corvette dipsticks

Pictured are 4 ORIGINAL dipsticks which I believe are GM part # 3739830 used on 1958-1963 Corvettes and Chevrolet Trucks. All measure 19 9/16" ("A" dimension in parts catalogs) from the stop to the "FULL" line. The bottom dipstick is from a 1959 Chevrolet Truck (engine stamped "F 7 21 M" or July 21, 1959) and the measurement from the stop to the "ADD" line is 20 5/16" (agrees with "B" dimension in 1958 dipstick chart in Chevrolet Service News). The top 3 dipsticks have a measured "B" dimension of 20 31/64" wheras my 1963 Chevrolet Parts Calalog (effective Oct. 1962) lists the measurement as 20 21/64" (a typo error in parts catalog???). The dipsticks are stamped "B", "E", no letter, and "M" on the handles (top to bottom in pictures). The top dipstick has a stamped "ADD" & "FULL" while the bottom 3 dipsticks have a debossed "ADD" & "FULL". The handles on all 4 dipsticks have remnants of black paint.

QUESTION: Which dipstick (if any) is "correct" for a 1963 Corvette?
Also, does anyone know for what years the dipsticks are "correct"?
I know the bottom dipstick is "correct" for a 1959. I have trying to solve the 58-63 dipstick mystery for about 20 years.

By the way, I do have the GM dipstick # 3722959 that was originally used on 56 (2nd design) & 57 Corvettes & Chevrolets which I purchased at my local Chevrolet dealer in 1989 and apparently is sold by many as a reproduction for the 58-63 Corvette. The "A" & "B" dimensions (19 31/64" & 20 7/16") are different and the handle (stamped with a "B") is about a 1/2" longer.

[David L.]

Re: 62 - 62 Corvette dipstick ??

NOTE: I moved the pictures to the "63 dipstick" thread that started 03/31/2009.

[Jack Y.]

Re: 62 - 62 Corvette dipstick ??

1. Is your engine a low hp or high hp engine? Low
2. Is the finish on your dipstick handle painted black or chrome? Black
3. Is the letter on your dipstick M or W or something else? W
4. Does your dipstick have the phrase "engine oil" on it or not? Yes
5. Are the characters on your dipstick stamped or embossed (raised from the rear)? Stamped

Early Feb '63 (orig)