1971 Oil Dipstick Color - NCRS Discussion Boards

1971 Oil Dipstick Color

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  • Paul C.
    Very Frequent User
    • November 12, 2007
    • 511

    1971 Oil Dipstick Color

    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
  • Paul C.
    Very Frequent User
    • November 12, 2007
    • 511

    #2
    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?????????????

    Comment

    • Dave S.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • August 31, 1992
      • 2922

      #3
      Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color

      Originally posted by Paul Cook (48167)
      Does the lack of a response indicte the question is a dumb one and the gauge=dipstick handle=natural color?????????????
      This is from a 71 350/270 HP car.
      Last edited by Dave S.; January 29, 2010, 07:43 PM.

      Comment

      • Terry M.
        Beyond Control Poster
        • September 30, 1980
        • 15584

        #4
        Terry

        Comment

        • Joe L.
          Beyond Control Poster
          • February 1, 1988
          • 43202

          #5
          Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color

          Originally posted by Paul Cook (48167)
          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
          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 Hinckley

          Comment

          • Tom H.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • December 1, 1993
            • 3440

            #6
            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

            • Terry M.
              Beyond Control Poster
              • September 30, 1980
              • 15584

              #7
              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.
              Terry

              Comment

              • Dave S.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • August 31, 1992
                • 2922

                #8
                Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color

                Originally posted by Terry McManmon (3966)
                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.
                I see that Paul is an LT-1 owner. I do not have a photo of my 71 LT-1 dipstick but it is the same as the base motor dipstick that I posted. Natural finish. Not sure about the dipstick tube and car is put away so I can't check.

                Comment

                • Joe L.
                  Beyond Control Poster
                  • February 1, 1988
                  • 43202

                  #9
                  Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color

                  Originally posted by Terry McManmon (3966)
                  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.

                  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 Hinckley

                  Comment

                  • Paul C.
                    Very Frequent User
                    • November 12, 2007
                    • 511

                    #10
                    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

                    • Steven G.
                      Expired
                      • November 17, 2008
                      • 348

                      #11
                      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 #? Steve

                      Comment

                      • Terry M.
                        Beyond Control Poster
                        • September 30, 1980
                        • 15584

                        #12
                        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.
                        Terry

                        Comment

                        • Don L.
                          Extremely Frequent Poster
                          • August 31, 2005
                          • 1005

                          #13
                          Re: 1971 Oil Dipstick Color

                          Originally posted by Steven Gochenour (49707)
                          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 #? Steve
                          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 Chapter

                          Comment

                          • Tom H.
                            Extremely Frequent Poster
                            • December 1, 1993
                            • 3440

                            #14
                            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

                            • Don L.
                              Extremely Frequent Poster
                              • August 31, 2005
                              • 1005

                              #15
                              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 Chapter

                              Comment

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