Oil dipstick button (plug)

[D S.]

Many Chevrolets and Corvettes in the late '60's and early '70s had colored plastic buttons, often called plugs, on the ends of the handles of oil dipsticks. They all seemed to be the same width. Mine is missing so I need to know what the width of the buttons and are they all seated with the same length showing. What is the width and depth of those plastic plugs?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Kurt G.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Scott,

On my un-molested all original early '72 there is no color plug. Under the metal cap there is a black rubber seal, about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch diameter that fits into the metal cap. Hope this helps.

[Michael A.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Kurt

I believe that Scott is talking about the plastic plug in the curl of the dipstick. Attached is a picture of a big block dipstick with a red button.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

loads of different colors were used - basically they were all the same size.
They are tapered to fit into the handle.

[D S.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Scott,

On my un-molested all original early '72 there is no color plug. Under the metal cap there is a black rubber seal, about 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch diameter that fits into the metal cap. Hope this helps.

Yes, but your dipstick is missing the plug at the end of the looped handle if it is original. I believe it should be red according to the JG.
I need the width measurement. Is it 3/16", 1/4", or 5/16" wide? How far out did they protrude?

[Alan S.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Hi Scott,
Here are some pictures of the button from my 71, 350/270, #6589.
The dip-stick and button are original to the car. The button is hollow through most of it's length.
I hope these help you!
Regards,
Alan

[D S.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Hi Scott,
Here are some pictures of the button from my 71, 350/270, #6589.
The dip-stick and button are original to the car. The button is hollow through most of it's length.
I hope these help you!
Regards,
Alan

Alan, would you say that the width of the plug is about 1/4"?

Thanks for the photos. The 1970-1972 JG 4th Edition on page 70 states that the 1971-1972 Corvettes had red plugs. Is yours a very early 1971?

[D S.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

loads of different colors were used - basically they were all the same size.
They are tapered to fit into the handle.

Jeff, how goes it? Since I KNOW you have a ton of original oil dipsticks what would you say that the widths are of the buttons that are on them? They all appear to be the same width but my black button is missing. I have two reproductions with red buttons but I don't trust reproduction anything to be just like originals.
If anyone is reading this post and needs a dipstick Jeff might have the one you need.

Thanks,
Scott

[Jeff A.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

pm your address - I will send you an original black plug.
or - I could bring it to Kissimmee if you are going?
those red ones (and yellow ones) were used way into the late 80's on all GM engines.

What is the actual length of the black tipped stick you have?
what does it read?

[Alan S.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Hi Scott,
My car 6589, was a mid-January build.
I'm sorry I don't have a precise way to measure the plug.
The 'button' of the plug is just under 1/4", I'd call it 7/32", WIDE. It's really very close to the outside dimension of the handle tube it slides into.
It extends out of the end of the handle tube 1/8". The WIDTH of the part that's inserted is of course just slightly more than the inside diameter of the handle tube.
I'd say the overall LENGTH is 5/16". Note the end of the plug that gets inserted has an additional little taper to help get it started.
It's difficult to get this particular plug out because it hits the loop of the handle just as it's coming out of the tube. I guess that could vary depending on how consistant the loops were/are.
Regards,
Alan

[D S.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

Thanks to all who responded. And thanks to member Jeff Ashen who directed me to Long Island Corvette that has a dipstick repair kit that includes a black plug. Never mind that it is technically for 1965-1967 Corvette dipsticks. It will probably work for my 1970. LIC didn't have red plugs but for $9.99 and shipping one can buy one of those "NOS" dipsticks and pop the plug off of it.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

For the red plugs try visiting the local junk yard.
Cadillacs well into the 90's used a red tipped Transmission stick.
I bring my little cutter, and cut the tips off - no need to buy the whole stick.

[David L.]

Re: Oil dipstick button (plug)

The black plastic plug on my NOS 3862730 dipstick (1972+ vintage, stamped "USE SE ENGINE OIL") measures 0.23" in diameter and extends 0.12" out from the metal part of the loop handle.
The black plastic plug on my original 66 Corvette dipstick (stamped "ENGINE OIL") measures the same. These dipsticks were made by the same vendor and are also stamped with the letter "M". The dipsticks made by the vendor with the "E" stamping do not have a plastic pug as the end of the loop is flattened.