1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

David,

Is the 63 and earlier tube curved like later (67) tubes? I have a original tube on a 63 Impala SS motor, 327/300hp that"s straight and evidence of black paint.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

Timothy,

I assume the dipstick tube from your 63 Impala w/327 measures about 6 3/16" in overall length like the 3851457 tube (from a 1964 Chevrolet 283) as shown in my picture below (at top).
Also in the picture are 4 other tubes (NOS 3732488, orig. 3876784, NOS 3900428, and NOS 3865664).

The 67 Chevrolet tube (GM # 3900428) is about 1/8" shorter than the 3876784 tube (66 Chev. & Corvette 283 & 327, 67-72 Corvette 327 & 350).

I have about 25 to 30 original upper dipstick tubes from Chevrolets and Corvettes that I have collected in the past 30 years from junkyards and swap meets.

Dave

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

David,

The tube measures approx 5 3/8" from the block to the top. It's over all length is probably the 6 3/16 you mention when counting the flange that's installed in the block.

There is no lower tube and the upper looks like it's never been out. Did these straight upper tubes need the lower tube? The block is stamped F1023SB.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

The measurement from the top to the "stop" on my 59-64 Chevrolet upper tube (GM # 3851457) is about 5 3/8" (same as yours).

The lower tube (GM # 3837233) used on the small block Chevrolet engines up until 1969 measures 8 1/4". In May 1969 the lower tube was replaced with a shorter tube, GM # 3951600, which measures 6 7/8".

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

So I assume the upper tube has been out of the motor, you are saying all small blocks used the lower tube.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

The upper tube has to be removed before you can take out the lower tube.
The lower tube measures 0.37" in diameter with the upper lip measuring 0.44".
Enclosed is a picture of a NOS 1957-1969 lower tube (GM # 3837233) and a NOS 1970 & newer lower tube (GM # 3951600).

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

Now that we are talking about the upper dipstick tube, can anyone provide a picture of the correct original tube for my 63 300hp engine. I want to compare with what I got from GM twenty years ago.

My 63 tube is not narrowed at the top and the felt fits nicely to seal the dipstick. I will look through receipts for the part #.

Your 63 300hp should have a natural finished curved non swagged upper tube.

tc

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

The tube on my 63 looks like the 3732488 tube in Davids picture.

Thanks for the pics David.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

Timothy,

I have always thought that the 57-62 upper tube (GM # 3732488) and the 63-64 upper tube (GM # 3826074) were very similar as the 58-63 Corvettes (base engine models) use the same dipstick (GM # 3739830) although the 57-62 Corvettes use a 3789629 oil pan while the 63 Corvette uses a 3820000 oil pan. After thinking a little more I believe the difference must be the length of the tube but only slightly as the 3732488 tube served as a replacement for the 3826074 tube.

What is the measured length from the "stop" (at the top of the block) to the top of the upper tube on your 1963 tube? This measurement on my NOS 3732488 is about 7 7/8" (see photo).

Dave

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

David,

Here are pics of the tube on my 63 and also the dipstick if anyone is interested. I purchased the tube but it's been twenty five years ago, looks the same as your 3732488.

Is this tube supposed to be painted for the 63, I painted this tube black.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

Timothy,

I would say that the NOS tube that you bought over the counter about 25 years ago is the 3732488 tube since the 3826074 tube was discontinued in Sept. 1974 (over 36 years ago).

Is the dipstick in your picture original to your 1963 engine? There were at least 3 different versions of the 58-63 dipstick (GM # 3739830). Many 1963 owners believe that the 3739830 dipstick installed in the 1963 Corvettes have embossed (raised lettering) "ADD" and "FULL" markings. Sometimes these "ADD" and "FULL" markings were embossed in reverse (raised lettering on the back side). The vendor that made these dipsticks was indicated by the letter "M" (either embossed or embossed in reverse). These embossed 63 dipsticks are extremely rare. The 3739830 dipstick was also used on Chevrolet truck of the same era.

Enclosed is a copy of my research that I did in Oct. 1991 and Feb. 1992.

Dave

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

David,

I can't say if this dipstick is original to the car, it came with it when purchased in 1979. The car has it's original engine block.

The embossed M or W is lower than the area indicated in your reasearch. The dipstick measures exactly like your type M in the reasearch paper you provided. It's embossed when reading the add - full marks the letters are indented.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 327-300hp Oil dipstick tube

Timothy,

Based on my research over the last 20 years I would say the dipstick you have is probably the original one that came with your 63 engine. You may want to research the other NCRS posts about the 58-63 dipsticks (GM # 3739830).

Dave