From reading the 1970-72 NCRS technical manual page 70. It says the "finish of the gauge and tube was natural." Does that mean the color of the dipstick handle (gauge?) and the tube itself are metal color--tin color??? Sorry about the confusion. Mine has been painted black that why I am double checking. Thanks Paul
-
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Does the lack of a response indicte the question is a dumb one and the gauge=dipstick handle=natural color????????????? -
-
TerryComment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Paul-----
The dipstick, including the finger loop, blade, and all other metal parts were natural finish. In other words, they were not painted or plated. "Natural" finish does not necessarily mean "bright, shiny metal", though. It just means the metal as received by the manufacturer of the part and as it may be subsequently affected by the fabricating operation.
The dipstick tube was the same. It was just natural steel as formed by the fabricating operation. I have seen some of these tubes that appeared to have been fabricated from galvanized stock. I don;'t know if any of these were ever originally used on a Corvette engine, though.
By the way, the original tube used for most small blocks from 1965 through 1974, GM #3876784, had a swaged-down, reduced diameter upper end. This tube was discontinued from SERVICE in July, 1974 and replaced by a tube of similar length and configuration except without the swaged-down section. This tube is GM #3865664 and it was originally used for 1965 and later light truck applications. It's still available from GM. However, I think the original style tube is reproduced and available in the reproduction market.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Paul:
My original 71 base motor 350 car has a stick exactly as shown in Dave Strickland's post. Natural finish on the tube, loop and stick.Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Then I got the only tube that was plated copper and then tin on my 1970 LT1. Darn finally something really RARE. I kind of doubt that.TerryComment
-
Comment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Terry-----
It's very possible these tubes were manufactured from tin or galvanized stock. I'm surprised by a copper underplate, though. That would be unusual for a part like this but not beyond the realm of possibility. In any event, your car should have used the exact same tube as all other 1965-74 small blocks.
The reason I say that the tubes, if they were plated, were manufactured from pre-finished stock is that the end always appears to rust. That does not appear to me to indicate a part that was plated after fabrication.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
If I offended anyone by expecting a "fast response"--I'm sorry --that was not intend. I thought it was a simple question that somone with a 71 would know by looking at their dipstick when they check their oil. I appreciate the help all of you give and do not expect everyone to sit by their computer to answer my questions. As I have said in previous posts I appreciate all your help and time and cooperation and hope that someday I can return the favor and help you in some way.Comment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Sorry Terry, #9 looks like tin plate on stick as well, haven't got to tube yet. Except Terry, (he knows) don't forget about the plug on handle end loop for your year corvette, 70 -black plug, 71+72 red plug... . Does anyone know where to find a list of Gm dipsticks, colors size or part #? SteveComment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
And maybe I was a little pi$$y this afternoon. It just looked to me like a short time to be looking for a response. It is not my place to criticize and I apologize to you Paul. I should not have said anything about that -- I am sorry.
Reason I know what my dipstick tube was is that it broke and I had to replace it. In getting the stub out I filed into it and exposed what appeared to be a layer of copper (at least copper colored) under a dull plated surface. No rust on mine, and a lot of other parts on the car are rusted. At first I thought the tube might be copper, but it is magnetic, so not that. The outer plate might be galvanized, or even zinc, although it looks too dull for those -- but I can't imagine why they would plate anything on it. I know it doesn't make sense from a functional point of view.
I was being sarcastic Joe, I don't think for a second that any of the parts on my engine are any different than the tens of thousands of other Flint-built small blocks of the same vintage.TerryComment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Steve, my interpretation of the JG is that red plugs were used only on '71-'72 454 cu in engines, and ALL '70-'72 350's had black plugs . I can see, however, how the JG's use of semi colons might mean something different.
The guide says "...All 350s had a black plug; 1970 454 engines had a black plug; and 1971 and 1972 had a red plug." I take that to mean that only the BB '71 and '72 engines used the red plug. JG wording is kinda ambiguous. Which is right?Don Lowe
NCRS #44382
Carolinas ChapterComment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
Black plug in my 71 base motor stick handle.Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
-
Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color
My '72 SB is black as well. I should have said so in my earlier post.Don Lowe
NCRS #44382
Carolinas ChapterComment
Comment