1966 427 dipstick description

[Harry L.]

Would like to know the numbers and all the markings on a dipstick for a 1966 427. 390 hp with a/c. Does anyone have a picture? Thanks, DUTCH

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

DUTCH,

I do not have a photo but I can give you some information.
The 1966 AIM lists GM # 3860316 as the dipstick for a 427 SHP (L72). HOWEVER, my 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1965) lists the following in GR. 1.516:

3860316 --- 1966 Corvette 427 (exc. SHP) for $0.90
3860318 --- 1966 Corvette 427 w/SHP for $1.35

Both dipstick have the same dimensions.
"A" = 17 13/32"
"B" = 18 1/8"

GM # 3860316 was replaced with GM # 3925599 in Feb. 1968 and GM # 3860318 was REMOVED from service in July 1967 as per Chevrolet Parts History.

The 1965-1967 Corvette 327 dipsticks are longer ("A" = 19 9/16", "B" = 20 21/64") and are stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M".

I assume that the 1966 427 dipsticks are also stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M". The 3860318 dipstick might have had a chrome handle but that is just an educated guess.

Dave

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

I think my dipstick is wrong for my car, but I want to make sure I am putting the right amoumt of oil in. My dipstick # is 3928900, From the end to the full mark is 1 and 5/8 inch, just the metal stick is 20 and 1/2inch, and from the end of the dipstick to the end of the handel is 24 and 1/4inch. The dipstick reads, add 1 Qt, Full, Use S E Engine Oil, and the number. IT has a chrome handel with a purple tip. Need some help. Are a/c dipsticks different from non a/c dipsticks? thanks. DUTCH

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

The original is plain steel has a salmon tip and usually goes for big $$$.

If you are not concerned about originality, then drain the oil, add 5 qts check, 6 and check level, then 7 to know where you should be.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

I think my dipstick is wrong for my car, but I want to make sure I am putting the right amoumt of oil in. My dipstick # is 3928900, From the end to the full mark is 1 and 5/8 inch, just the metal stick is 20 and 1/2inch, and from the end of the dipstick to the end of the handel is 24 and 1/4inch. The dipstick reads, add 1 Qt, Full, Use S E Engine Oil, and the number. IT has a chrome handel with a purple tip. Need some help. Are a/c dipsticks different from non a/c dipsticks? thanks. DUTCH

Dutch-----

The 3928900 is a dipstick for a standard passenger car pan for 1968+. It is not calibrated for a Corvette pan.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

DUTCH,

I do not have a photo but I can give you some information.
The 1966 AIM lists GM # 3860316 as the dipstick for a 427 SHP (L72). HOWEVER, my 1966 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1965) lists the following in GR. 1.516:

3860316 --- 1966 Corvette 427 (exc. SHP) for $0.90
3860318 --- 1966 Corvette 427 w/SHP for $1.35

Both dipstick have the same dimensions.
"A" = 17 13/32"
"B" = 18 1/8"

GM # 3860316 was replaced with GM # 3925599 in Feb. 1968 and GM # 3860318 was REMOVED from service in July 1967 as per Chevrolet Parts History.

The 1965-1967 Corvette 327 dipsticks are longer ("A" = 19 9/16", "B" = 20 21/64") and are stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M".

I assume that the 1966 427 dipsticks are also stamped "ENGINE OIL" and "M". The 3860318 dipstick might have had a chrome handle but that is just an educated guess.

Dave

Dave-----


The 3860318 dipstick did have a chrome handle but it was never used in PRODUCTION, at least for Corvettes.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Dave-----


The 3860318 dipstick did have a chrome handle but it was never used in PRODUCTION, at least for Corvettes.

Joe,

That would make sense since the 3860318 dipstick does not appear in the 1966 AIM.

In the 1967 AIM the 3860316 dipstick was replaced with the 3925520 dipstick on 3-3-67 and the 3862732 tube was replaced with the 3870324 tube on 2-8-67 as per the revision record.

Dipstick 3925520 was slightly longer ("A" = 17 13/32", "B" = 18 1/2").

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

I think my dipstick is wrong for my car, but I want to make sure I am putting the right amoumt of oil in. My dipstick # is 3928900, From the end to the full mark is 1 and 5/8 inch, just the metal stick is 20 and 1/2inch, and from the end of the dipstick to the end of the handel is 24 and 1/4inch. The dipstick reads, add 1 Qt, Full, Use S E Engine Oil, and the number. IT has a chrome handel with a purple tip. Need some help. Are a/c dipsticks different from non a/c dipsticks? thanks. DUTCH

Harry,

Your 1980's over the counter 3928900 dipstick ("A" = 19 11/16", "B" = 20 7/32") was used starting in 1968 as Joe mentioned but not on Corvettes. The correct tube for this dipstick is GM # 3928901. The "ADD 1 QT", "FULL", "USE SE OIL" stamping started about 1973+/- and the part numbers were stamped on the dipsticks in the 1980's.

Dave

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Thanks for all the info, I was concerned whether there was any dipstick difference for an a/c car. DUTCH

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Thanks for all the info, I was concerned whether there was any dipstick difference for an a/c car. DUTCH

Dutch------


For 1966, absolutely not.

Some believe that for 1969 or 1970 there was a difference for C-60 and non C-60 big block dipsticks. I don't think so, though. I think this is just another "urban legend". In early 1970, there was a change in the dipstick and tube used for ALL Corvette big blocks and the new dipstick was longer. For some period of time in the 1970 model year, it may be that both dipsticks were used, POSSIBLY with St. Louis INITIALLY choosing to install the longer ones on C-60 installations. However, I can find absolutely NO documentation that the longer dipstick was ever uniquely specified for C-60 applications.

The longer dipstick became SERVICE for all 1965-69 Corvettes in November, 1970 but required the use of the corresponding longer tube. So, after November, 1970 if one needed a dipstick for any 1965-69 Corvette big block, the only one that could be obtained from GM was the longer one.

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Here is how to measure a dipstick.
Dave

http://dcl70.imgur.com/how_to_measure_a_dipstick#OrVkc

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Here is how to measure a dipstick.
Dave

http://dcl70.imgur.com/how_to_measure_a_dipstick#OrVkc

Dave------


The problem is that not all dipsticks have a seat configuration like the one in the drawing. With this sort of seat configuration, it's a relatively straight-forward measurement, as shown. With other configurations, though, establishing just where the seat is can be more of a problem.

Add to this the fact that GM itself used different conventions for dipstick measurement. In some cases, the upper measuring point is the top of the "bell" found on some dipstick designs.

In some other cases, I have measured dipsticks of a known part number and some or all of the measurements don't match the specs published in the P&A catalogs. Sometimes, this occurs regardless of what upper measuring point is used (or the obvious possibilities).

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Does the dipstick tube have a visible stamp date? DUTCH

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Sorry, my question is, does the dipstick tube have a visible number stamped on it? DUTCH

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 427 dipstick description

Sorry, my question is, does the dipstick tube have a visible number stamped on it? DUTCH

Dutch-----


No, it does not.