L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

[Joe L.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe,

Your comments regarding late 1969 dipsticks has peaked my interest. I've owned my November built '69 435 for all but it's first seven years, and I know that someone had been in the motor before I bought it. All the "major" components were there and correct, but the car had Hooker sidepipes and I noticed the dipstick looked original except the handle seemed longer. Unfortunately my camera is on loan for a week, but I dug it our of my spare parts box (I replaced it with a repro when I restored the car to agree with the J/G)
It measures the 19" to the top of the bell but comes out at a 45* angle 6-1/2" to the top of the "loop"; the end is flatted so no colored plug resided there. I thought previous owners may have replaced it to get it out of the way of the headers, but now I'm wondering if it could have been original to the car. It has the ADD / FULL / ENGINE OIL markings with a small "E" on its back next to the ENGINE OIL. Does this sound like it could be the one you're refering to that would be for cars w/ C60? Maybe it was changed early on as you mentioned to easily access the dipstick?

Don

Don-------


If it's 19" from the top of the "bell" to the "add" mark, then it could very well be the 3959158 "mystery dipstick". I don't know of any other big block dipsticks, Corvette or otherwise, that had this dimension. Of course, it's also possible that some other measuring convention was used for the 3959158 dipstick (e.g. from the seat to the "add" mark) and that would throw a "monkey wrench" into the whole process here. However, assuming that the 3959158 uses the same convention for dimensions as other big block dipsticks, this would be the only one with a 19" dimension from the top of the bell to the "add" mark.

I hope you get your camera back soon because I would really like to see photos of this dipstick.

Also, please check the entire length and both sides of the blade very carefully for a stamped part number. While some dipsticks had no part number stamped on them, many did. It may be much further up the blade from the "full" and "add" marks and it might be VERY lightly stamped.

[R N.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Hi Joe,

I just went to the garage to check my '70 LS-5 non-air Feb 5th, 1970 coupe. VIN 2771 with engine stamp of T0123 CZU. I have natural finish dip stick, long (approx. 23" measured under the bell) with a black cap.
Notice to add/fill lines is a line and not dots.

[Joe L.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Hi Joe,

I just went to the garage to check my '70 LS-5 non-air Feb 5th, 1970 coupe. VIN 2771 with engine stamp of T0123 CZU. I have natural finish dip stick, long (approx. 23" measured under the bell) with a black cap.
Notice to add/fill lines is a line and not dots.

Kurt-------


Given the measurement, this would seem to be a GM #3981088. However, it's some version of it that had a black plug and a somewhat differently configured handle. The specs for the 3981088 allowed for 2 different handle configurations, though.

It's also possible that it's a dipstick of unknown part number, never specified in the AIM or available in SERVICE and, therefore, not shown in the P&A catalogs. In other words, neither a GM #3958158 or a GM #3981088 but some unknown dipstick that existed "between" them.

Have you carefully examined the length of the blade for any part number? Once again, it may be very lightly stamped. Also is there a manufacturer's ID seen anywhere on the blade? It may be an "E", a "V" or some other character or insignia.

[D S.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Scott------

It is possible that the L1969-E70 big block dipstick had a black plug. I don't think so, but it's possible. The fact is I just don't know very much, at all, about this "mystery dipstick". In fact, about all I know is that it was 19" from the top of the bell to the "add" mark. I do think that most 1970's and all 1971-74 used the dipstick with a red plastic plug and 24" dimension from the top of the bell to the "add" mark.

I'm hoping we'll be able to find out more about the "mystery dipstick" from folks reporting in regarding their 1969-E1070 dipstick configuration

These two dipstick photos are from Kurt Neiman's March built 1970 LS-5.

[R N.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Kurt-------


Given the measurement, this would seem to be a GM #3981088. However, it's some version of it that had a black plug and a somewhat differently configured handle. The specs for the 3981088 allowed for 2 different handle configurations, though.

It's also possible that it's a dipstick of unknown part number, never specified in the AIM or available in SERVICE and, therefore, not shown in the P&A catalogs. In other words, neither a GM #3958158 or a GM #3981088 but some unknown dipstick that existed "between" them.

Have you carefully examined the length of the blade for any part number? Once again, it may be very lightly stamped. Also is there a manufacturer's ID seen anywhere on the blade? It may be an "E", a "V" or some other character or insignia.

Joe,

Checked again tonight - dip stick measures .035" thick, .1875" wide and is 24-7/8" long measured per one of the above posts. No other markings what so ever.

[Joe L.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe,

Checked again tonight - dip stick measures .035" thick, .1875" wide and is 24-7/8" long measured per one of the above posts. No other markings what so ever.

Kurt------


At 24-7/8" from the top of the bell to the "add" mark, it does not meet the specs of ANY known Corvette big block dipstick. It couldn't really be a 3959158, the "mystery dipstick", since there's no way one could get a 19" dimension no matter how one measured it. So, I have no idea what it is. If GM had only required a part number on all dipsticks, we would not have this problem.

[D S.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Scott------

It is possible that the L1969-E70 big block dipstick had a black plug. I don't think so, but it's possible. The fact is I just don't know very much, at all, about this "mystery dipstick". In fact, about all I know is that it was 19" from the top of the bell to the "add" mark. I do think that most 1970's and all 1971-74 used the dipstick with a red plastic plug and 24" dimension from the top of the bell to the "add" mark.

I'm hoping we'll be able to find out more about the "mystery dipstick" from folks reporting in regarding their 1969-E1070 dipstick configuration

Joe, there must have been enough of those 1970 LS-5 dipsticks with black plugs found in previous judging and original 1970 Corvettes to prompt whoever put together the 1970-1972 JG 4th Edition to include that description in it as correct.
Could it have been a case where the 3981088 was out of stock because of the long production run in 1969 and GM contracted to have "generic" ones manufactured with black plugs and flattened loop handles for 1970 big blocks to differentiate from the 1969 versions? What did 1970 454 Chevelles or Impalas have for dipsticks?
I am hoping I can find a round, black swizzle stick of about that circumference so I can replace my missing plug.

[D S.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe, here is a link to Hans-Peter Oechsle's 1970 Corvette Austrian import documentation. Section 4.22 Dipstick shows his dipstick handle and shaft. His button is missing, too.

http://members.inode.at/587867/NM%202010_04_05.pdf

I believe you can email some members of the 1970 Corvette Registry who own 1970 LS-5s. Do a random survey among those listed under Cars Sorted by Original Engine .

[Joe L.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe, there must have been enough of those 1970 LS-5 dipsticks with black plugs found in previous judging and original 1970 Corvettes to prompt whoever put together the 1970-1972 JG 4th Edition to include that description in it as correct.
Could it have been a case where the 3981088 was out of stock because of the long production run in 1969 and GM contracted to have "generic" ones manufactured with black plugs and flattened loop handles for 1970 big blocks to differentiate from the 1969 versions? What did 1970 454 Chevelles or Impalas have for dipsticks?
I am hoping I can find a round, black swizzle stick of about that circumference so I can replace my missing plug.

Scott------


I have no doubt that the dipsticks with the black plug and "flattened" loop handle are original to the cars. When at least several cars appear to have the same dipstick, it's just not too realistic to conclude that this happened post-factory and by accident that they're all the same.

The problem is that the measurements as shown for Kurt's dipstick are not consistent with either the little bit I know about a 3959158 or a 3981088. They are also not consistent with ANY other big block dipstick that was used for any passenger car (i.e. non-truck) application. I do not have specs for all of the trucks.

1965-66 full size passenger car and 1966 Chevelle used the same dipstick as Corvettes because they used the same oil pan as Corvettes (passenger car) or an oil pan that required the same calibration as Corvettes (Chevelle).

Later passenger car, Camaro, and Chevelle oil pans used different dipsticks than any Corvette. These were GM #3902399, GM #3928900 and GM #3989391. These dipsticks were variously used on the non-Corvette models mentioned over the 1967-75 period. For example, 1970 Monte Carlo with 454 used the 3928900 whereas 1971-75 Monte Carlo and Chevelle with 402 and 454 used the 3989391. NONE of the aforementioned dipsticks have "add" and "full" dimensions anywhere near those of Kurt's "black plug" dipstick.

I have NOS examples of the 3928900 and the 3989391. The former has a "clear" plastic plug and the latter has a "yellow" plastic plug. I do not know what the 3902399 has for a plug.

[R N.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

It sure would be nice to have more 1970 454 owners' respond to this post so we can come to some kind of conclusion - come-on guys and girls

[Joe L.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

It sure would be nice to have more 1970 454 owners' respond to this post so we can come to some kind of conclusion - come-on guys and girls

Kurt------


I agree. Also, 1969 owners, too.

[Jamie F.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe,
My Nov 22, 1969 L68 has the long stick with a red plug. Talked to everyone back to '72 and nobody changed the stick. Non-A/C car.
I will take pic this weekend if you like.

[D S.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe, I know your target search was for late '69 to early '70 dipsticks. However, I don't know if it is of any significance to your quest but NCRS member Wayne Hug has a June built 1970 Corvette LS-5 and he tells me his original dipstick is a red button with only the words ADD and FULL just like the 1971 dipsticks. Instead of the hash marks for oil level marks like the 1970 dipsticks Wayne's has the little o for the oil level marks common to the 1971 year. Wayne is adamant that no one changed it out. Photos attached:

IMG_3531.JPG
<LI class=img>IMG_3530.JPG

[Joe L.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

Joe, I know your target search was for late '69 to early '70 dipsticks. However, I don't know if it is of any significance to your quest but NCRS member Wayne Hug has a June built 1970 Corvette LS-5 and he tells me his original dipstick is a red button with only the words ADD and FULL just like the 1971 dipsticks. Instead of the hash marks for oil level marks like the 1970 dipsticks Wayne's has the little o for the oil level marks common to the 1971 year. Wayne is adamant that no one changed it out. Photos attached:

IMG_3531.JPG
<LI class=img>IMG_3530.JPG

Scott------


I'm unable to view the images. However, this dipstick sounds like a GM #3981088 which is what I would expect for a later 1970 and all 1971-74.

[Mark Z.]

Re: L1969 to E 1970 Big Block Dipstick

I have a Feb 18 built 1970 non-air 454. Dipstick has flattend handle with black plug and measures 24" to Add line. Pretty sure its original. Will check today for any other part numbers or letters and will post.