62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

[Edward M.]

OK, I am proposing the following theory regarding the configuration of engine oil dipsticks for 1962 - 1964 Corvette engines

1962 (all engines)
Handle finish: Painted black
Letter on shaft: M or W
Words of shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One line for ADD, another line for FULL
Phrase "Engine Oil" on shaft: No
Characters on shaft are: Stamped
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Steel washer w/ upturned edge (painted black) with felt gasket

1963 (250 & 300 hp engines)
Handle finish: Painted black
Letter on shaft: M or W
Words on shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One line for ADD, one line for FULL
Phrase "Engine Oil" on shaft: Yes, above word FULL
Characters on shaft are: Stamped
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Steel washer w/ upturned edge (painted black) with felt gasket

1963 (340 & 360 hp engines)
Handle finish: Flash chrome
Letters on shaft: M or W
Words on shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One line for ADD, one line for FULL
Phrase "Engine Oil" on shaft: Yes, above word FULL
Characters on shaft are: Stamped
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Steel washer w/ upturned edge (flash chromed) with felt gasket

1964 (250 & 300 hp engines)
Handle finish: Painted black
Letters on shaft: M or W
Words on shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One colon for ADD, one colon for FULL
Phrase "Engine Oil" on shaft: Yes, above word FULL
Characters on shaft are: Embossed
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Bell shaped rubber nipple, facing downward

1964 (365 & 375 hp engines)
Handle finish: Flash chrome
Letters on shaft: M or W
Words on shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One colon for ADD, one colon for FULL
Phrase :"Engine Oil" on shaft: Yes, above word FULL
Characters on shaft are: Embossed
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Bell shaped rubber nipple, facing downward

Is anyone aware of a known original dipstick that contradicts this theory?

All help greatfully appreciated.

[Bob J.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Ed, not ALL 63 340 / 360 HP engines had chrome handles....early were black.
Another variation concerns the handle end on the hook being pointed or flat.Bob

[Michael H.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

OK, I am proposing the following theory regarding the configuration of engine oil dipsticks for 1962 - 1964 Corvette engines


1963 (250 & 300 hp engines)
Handle finish: Painted black
Letter on shaft: M or W
Words on shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One line for ADD, one line for FULL
Phrase "Engine Oil" on shaft: Yes, above word FULL
Characters on shaft are: Stamped
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Steel washer w/ upturned edge (painted black) with felt gasket

1963 (340 & 360 hp engines)
Handle finish: Flash chrome
Letters on shaft: M or W
Words on shaft: "ADD", "FULL"
Level marks on shaft: One line for ADD, one line for FULL
Phrase "Engine Oil" on shaft: Yes, above word FULL
Characters on shaft are: Stamped
Dipstick tube seal on shaft: Steel washer w/ upturned edge (flash chromed) with felt gasket

.

I agree with Jorjorian. The first four months of 63 production for 340 and 360 HP cars used the same black painted dip stick that the 250 and 300 HP engines used.
The new chrome handle stick supposedly entered production on the St Louis line on 2 January 1963.
Hope this helps.

[Tracy C.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

My 63 dipstick has embossed ADD[ ]FULL ENGINE OIL. Every original one I've ever seen is also embossed. Repops are stamped.

tc

[Jean C.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Enlighten me Tracy, what the diff between embossed and stamped?
Best regards,

[Tracy C.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Charlie,

Here are pics of both sides of my embossed dipstick. Embossing differs from stamping in that the lettering is press formed into the base material rather than stamped. Embossing results in an almost perfect reverse image on the back side.

A stamped piece is still flat on the reverse side but it still may be possible to make out the reverse image of the lettering depending on the depth of the stamping and the thickness of the base material.

tc

[Edward M.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Enlighten me Tracy, what the diff between embossed and stamped?
Best regards,

Stamped means the characters are stamped into the shaft from the front, so they are sunk into the metal. Embossed means that the characters are "reverse stamped" from the rear, so they are raised above the surface.

Tracy;

I think we just have a terminology issue here. What I am calling stamped, you are calling embossed. Given this definition of embossed and debossed:

embossed adj : embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery; "brocaded silk"; "an embossed satin"; "embossed leather"; "raised needlework"; "raised metalwork" [syn: brocaded, raised]

debossed : an image such as a logo, a title, or other design is heat-pressed into the surface of the paper with a die, creating depressions rather than raised impressions as in embossing. The same technques used for embossing — blind, foil, and ink — can be used with debossing to create visual effects and texture. Debossing can be done on hard and soft covers.


is your dipstick debossed (sunk into the surface) or embossed (raised above the surface)?

You are correct, they are not stamped, the correct term would be debossed.

All 62 -63 dipsticks that I have seen are debossed, all 64 dipsticks are embossed.

[Edward M.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

One other point of discussion that came is is the shape of the handle end of the dipstick. Can be either flat across or comes to a blunt point.

My theory is at all 62 -64 dipsticks, regardless of application, came to a blunt point. Earlier dipsticks (not sure of years) had a flat across end.

Thoughts?

[Bob J.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

One other point of discussion that came is is the shape of the handle end of the dipstick. Can be either flat across or comes to a blunt point.

My theory is at all 62 -64 dipsticks, regardless of application, came to a blunt point. Earlier dipsticks (not sure of years) had a flat across end.

Thoughts?

I'd not bet the farm on 63 sticks all being pointed Bob

[Edward M.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

I'd not bet the farm on 63 sticks all being pointed Bob

OK, do you have or know of one that is not? I not stating facts, just looking for answers.

Is it possible that two different suppliers had different handle configurations?

[Tracy C.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Here is my same 63 dipstick. Straight across instead of pointed.

[Donald B.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

The washer on my '62 looks more like rubber than felt.

[Tracy C.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Stamped means the characters are stamped into the shaft from the front, so they are sunk into the metal. Embossed means that the characters are "reverse stamped" from the rear, so they are raised above the surface.

Tracy;

I think we just have a terminology issue here. What I am calling stamped, you are calling embossed. Given this definition of embossed and debossed:

embossed adj : embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery; "brocaded silk"; "an embossed satin"; "embossed leather"; "raised needlework"; "raised metalwork" [syn: brocaded, raised]

debossed : a

Hi Ed,

Hate to always be the spoiler, but here are pics of original 63 and 64 dipsticks together. They are both "debossed" per your definitions. (thats a new term for me) For the record, one has an "W" stamp near the handle and the other has a "M".

Not sure we will ever develope any hard line defintion for the configurations. I do applaude your efforts though.

tc

[Edward M.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

Terry;

Which one has the M and which one has the W?

[Tracy C.]

Re: 62 - 64 oil dipstick configuration theory

The W is on the 63 stick. I've seen both on 63/64 high horse and low horse.

tc