I'm still trying to get a "handle" (no pun intended) on this dipstick. The 1968-E1969 dipstick, GM #3925520, is pretty well known. Among other things, it had a white button on the end of the loop handle.
In later 1969 the dipstick changed to GM #3959158. This is the dipstick I have very little information on and the subject of my quest. I do know that the 3959158 had slightly different specs for the "add" mark. For the 3925520 the dimension from the seat to the add mark was supposed to be 18-1/2". For the 3959158 the seat to add mark dimension was supposed to be 19".
In addition to the above difference, I would expect that, given GM's pattern for dipstick identification, the color of the button would have been different than the earlier dipstick, but I don't know that, for sure.
There is also the issue of whether 1969 big blocks with C-60 originally used a longer dipstick (with a red button) and dipstick tube. Personally, I don't think this ever occurred. The longer dipstick was GM #3981088 (which did have a red button) and the dipstick tube was GM #3981089. I know of no other longer dipstick than the 3981088. The original drawing for the 3981088 dipstick is dated 9-9-69 and that's just about what I would expect given the part number. I see no way that such a piece would have been available for use on any 1969 except, POSSIBLY, VERY late 1969's and I even doubt that. Later 1970 Corvettes with 454, with or without C-60, did use the longer dipstick and tube and this continued right through the end of 1974.
The GM #3959158 dipstick, which had replaced both earlier Corvette big block dipsticks, was discontinued in November, 1970 and replaced by the 3981088. Instructions were provided in the P&A catalog that whenever an earlier dipstick was replaced with this dipstick, the tube also had to be replaced with the 3981089. I believe this is how the 3981088 ended up on 1969 (and earlier) Corvettes. There might even have been some sort of service bulletin issued about 1970 for 1969-E1970 Corvettes advising dealers to replace the dipstick and tube for customers with big block and C-60 and complaining of difficulty in accessing the dipstick. I don't know that happened but I see it as a very real possibility.
If anyone has a 1969 to E1970 Corvette that they believe has its original dipstick, please let us know what color button it has, what the dimension is from the seat to the "add" mark, and the approximate build date of the car. If possible, a photo(s) of the dipstick would be nice, too. The "more the merrier" here; we need lots of "data points.
In later 1969 the dipstick changed to GM #3959158. This is the dipstick I have very little information on and the subject of my quest. I do know that the 3959158 had slightly different specs for the "add" mark. For the 3925520 the dimension from the seat to the add mark was supposed to be 18-1/2". For the 3959158 the seat to add mark dimension was supposed to be 19".
In addition to the above difference, I would expect that, given GM's pattern for dipstick identification, the color of the button would have been different than the earlier dipstick, but I don't know that, for sure.
There is also the issue of whether 1969 big blocks with C-60 originally used a longer dipstick (with a red button) and dipstick tube. Personally, I don't think this ever occurred. The longer dipstick was GM #3981088 (which did have a red button) and the dipstick tube was GM #3981089. I know of no other longer dipstick than the 3981088. The original drawing for the 3981088 dipstick is dated 9-9-69 and that's just about what I would expect given the part number. I see no way that such a piece would have been available for use on any 1969 except, POSSIBLY, VERY late 1969's and I even doubt that. Later 1970 Corvettes with 454, with or without C-60, did use the longer dipstick and tube and this continued right through the end of 1974.
The GM #3959158 dipstick, which had replaced both earlier Corvette big block dipsticks, was discontinued in November, 1970 and replaced by the 3981088. Instructions were provided in the P&A catalog that whenever an earlier dipstick was replaced with this dipstick, the tube also had to be replaced with the 3981089. I believe this is how the 3981088 ended up on 1969 (and earlier) Corvettes. There might even have been some sort of service bulletin issued about 1970 for 1969-E1970 Corvettes advising dealers to replace the dipstick and tube for customers with big block and C-60 and complaining of difficulty in accessing the dipstick. I don't know that happened but I see it as a very real possibility.
If anyone has a 1969 to E1970 Corvette that they believe has its original dipstick, please let us know what color button it has, what the dimension is from the seat to the "add" mark, and the approximate build date of the car. If possible, a photo(s) of the dipstick would be nice, too. The "more the merrier" here; we need lots of "data points.
did you get a new stick with your short engine 
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