1960 Oil Dipstick ??

[Joe M.]

Attached are photos of the dipstick that has been in my car since 1989 when I purchased it. A review of the 1958-1960 Vette Restoration Handbook, an outstanding resource to own, shows photos of what is believed to be an original 1960 dipstick. As you can see by the attached photos, mine has a "B" on the handle, not an "M" as shown in the reference handbook. My handle configuration on both sides of the "cap" look like the original dipstick, not like the repros.

I would like for other 1960 or 1959 (if they were the same) owners to provide details on the dipstick in their car.

If mine is not original, my primary question is: Is the Add to Full range on my stick appropriate for a 519 engine?

The Add line is 1-1/4" from the tip of the stick.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Attached are photos of the dipstick that has been in my car since 1989 when I purchased it. A review of the 1958-1960 Vette Restoration Handbook, an outstanding resource to own, shows photos of what is believed to be an original 1960 dipstick. As you can see by the attached photos, mine has a "B" on the handle, not an "M" as shown in the reference handbook. My handle configuration on both sides of the "cap" look like the original dipstick, not like the repros.

I would like for other 1960 or 1959 (if they were the same) owners to provide details on the dipstick in their car.

If mine is not original, my primary question is: Is the Add to Full range on my stick appropriate for a 519 engine?

The Add line is 1-1/4" from the tip of the stick.

Joe------


I'm pretty confident that the "B" and "M" stampings are the manufacturer's ID marks. It's possible that one or the other predominated or, even, was exclusively used in PRODUCTION but it's probably just as likely that both were used.

The 1960 Corvette dipstick should have a measurement of 19-9/16" from the seat to the "full" mark and 20-21/64" from the seat to the "add" mark. I have no specs referenced from the tip of the dipstick.

[David L.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Joe,

I believe that your dipstick is an original 3739830. There were several versions used from 1958-1963 on Corvettes and Chevrolet trucks made by 3 different vendors (stamped "B", "E", and "M"). I sold all of my 3739830 dipsticks but pictured below is a sheet of my 1991-1992 research. Many 63 Corvette owners believe that the embossed "M" dipstick is correct for the model year 1963.

At one time I had as many as 50 to 60 Chevrolet & Corvette dipsticks in my "collection".

Dave

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Excellent information! I hope more owners provide info, but the 1991/1992 survey is hard data from a good size population. I believe my dipstick has enough of the original dimensions and shape to call it original. I need to make a felt washer and it should be good to go.

I noticed on the survey sheet of paper, it shows "painted black" on the handle." 1958 to 1960 Judging Guide states that the dipstick and tube can be either natural steel or painted black.

Did your early 1990s survey find more painted black than left natural steel? or vice versa?

[David L.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Joe,

Most of the 3739830 dipsticks had handles that still had much of the black paint. When I buffed the handles on my wire wheel to clean them up a lot of the black paint flaked off. I can not say that every 3739830 dipstick had black paint on the handle but most of them did. I will add page 2 of my research when I get a chance.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Joe,

Enclosed are my 2 pages of 1991-1992 research on 58-63 Corvette and Chevrolet truck dipsticks shown in 4 photos.

Dave

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Thank you for sharing your data with us.

[Greg M.]

Re: 1960 Oil Dipstick ??

Joe,

Enclosed are my 2 pages of 1991-1992 research on 58-63 Corvette and Chevrolet truck dipsticks shown in 4 photos.

Dave

Thank You for posting the pictures and lengths. I just got my parts back this past week and I dug out my dipstick and it matchs the "M" dimensions just right and has the "M" on it!

Greg