63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

[Kerry A.]

The disptick guide tube for my 63 will pull out of the block effortlessly. Most of the time if I don't grab onto the tube when I check my oil, the tube will pull out of the block with the diptstick. I have researched and have been unable to locate what actually retains the tube preventing it from pulling out of the block. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Russ S.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

The only thing holding it into the block is interference fit. If you can some how manage to expand the tube without expanding the very tip of it(so you can still get it started into the block) then it will fit tight. If you do manage to expand it,when you place it into the block, use something that allows you to tap it into place using the expanded ring that seats on the top of the hole in the block to tap against.

PS Short of the above fix, you will need to either epoxy it into place or replace with a new one.

[John D.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Krrry, Had the same problem with my 63. Solution is to buy a new tube. One that you have to drive in for super tight fit.
Pitch the old one.
The tubes are readily available. John

[Kerry A.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

John, Thanks for the reply. I tried Russ's suggestion of flaring the end of the tube which helped quite a bit. I believe it is the original tube so it's hard for me to let it go but I most certainly do not want to fall out while driving down the road.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

The disptick guide tube for my 63 will pull out of the block effortlessly. Most of the time if I don't grab onto the tube when I check my oil, the tube will pull out of the block with the diptstick. I have researched and have been unable to locate what actually retains the tube preventing it from pulling out of the block. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Kerry------

The best way to repair this is to install a new tube. As an alternative, you could try expanding the bottom of the tube to re-establish the interference fit as Russ suggested. However, I don't think you'll be successful. You could also use a knurling tool to upset enough material to re-establish the interference fit. Another option would be to use LocTite green sleeve locking compound. The problem with this approach is that it will be difficult to remove the tube if you ever need to.

By the way, the original 1963 dipstick tube was GM #3826074. This tube was discontinued in September, 1974 and replaced by GM #3732488. The latter tube was originally used for 57-62 Corvettes and has also now been discontinued. So, what's the difference between the two? I don't know, for sure, but I expect the difference related to a reduced diameter upper section of the 3826074 tube and/or a slight difference in the curvature.

[Kerry A.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Joe, Thank you for the reply. I did flare the tube enough where it now stays in the block when checking my oil. Is it as good as original? Most likely not. Is there a part number stamped on the tube? If so mine is not original. However, if there was never a part number stamped I believe mine could be original based on wear and tear and my knowledge of the history of the car. I do know that original parts wear out and some just can't be refurbished but it is still difficult to let go of an original part.

[Russ S.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Joe, Thank you for the reply. I did flare the tube enough where it now stays in the block when checking my oil. Is it as good as original? Most likely not. Is there a part number stamped on the tube? If so mine is not original. However, if there was never a part number stamped I believe mine could be original based on wear and tear and my knowledge of the history of the car. I do know that original parts wear out and some just can't be refurbished but it is still difficult to let go of an original part.

Kerry, No part number on the tubes.

[David L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Do not trash the tube. Original 63-64 Corvette dipstick tubes are impossible to find. I think that I may have an original 3826074 tube but I am not really sure (see photo). I assume it is very similar to the 57-62 dipstick tube (GM # 3732488). I sold all my NOS 3732488 dipstick tubes but I still have a few used ones.

The 58-63 Corvettes were issued dipstick # 3739830 (A = 19 9/16, B = 20 21/64"). The 63 Corvette (and 64-74 Corvettes as well) used oil pan # 3820000 but the 57-62 Corvettes used oil pan # 3789629. Since the oil pans are the different the difference must be in the lengths of the dipstick tubes so that the readings will be correct. Apparently in 1974 GM thought that using the 3732488 tube on a 63 was close enough.

If 20.328" - 19.562" = 0.766" = 1 quart on the 58-63 dipstick, then 0.125" on the 58-63 dipstick = 0.125/0.766 = 0.163 qt., 16.3% error in reading, close enough, I guess.

Dave

[Stan E.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Kerry, I go with Joe on the knurling. I would insert an expanding reamer first to keep the size and use a sealer.

[David L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Kerry,

If you remove the tube from the block in the near future could you measure it in a similar manner as shown in my earlier photo?

Dave

[Jim D.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Clean the tube and the block with lacquer thinner and then install the tube using a few drops of blue Loctite. Very simple fix.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Joe, Thank you for the reply. I did flare the tube enough where it now stays in the block when checking my oil. Is it as good as original? Most likely not. Is there a part number stamped on the tube? If so mine is not original. However, if there was never a part number stamped I believe mine could be original based on wear and tear and my knowledge of the history of the car. I do know that original parts wear out and some just can't be refurbished but it is still difficult to let go of an original part.

Kerry-----


Yes, I agree. It's tough to dispose of an original part, especially one that cannot be replaced with an exact, original replacement. Slightly flaring the end of the tube will work, just as you've found. However, keep in mind that what you now have is a surface of about 1/16", or less, with an interference fit whereas the original tube had an interference fit over about 1" of surface. So, the retention of the tube will be a lot "weaker". It might eventually loosen again but you can cross that bridge when you come to it.

If you can post a photo of the tube, I'd like to see it.

[Kerry A.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Joe,
Here is a photo of the tube installed on my 63. I was able to tap a rod slightly with a diameter slightly over of the inner diameter of the tube. This provided me with more an interference fit than the 1/16 but still probably not as good as new. I may work with it some more but I didn't want to go overboard on my first attempt. After I flared the end of the tube it was difficult to remove so the attached photo could be taken.








Dipstick tube1.jpg

[David L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Kerry,

Could you measure the distance (in a straight line) from the "stop" to the end. Is it 8 7/8" or 9". Refer to my photo that I posted yesterday.

Dave

[Kerry A.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Dave, I measured as asked and the measurement of my tube is 7 7/8". If you look closely the radius of the bend of my tube is less than the two in your picture whcih means its sharper bend and therefore would result in a shorter length of the measurement you requested compared to your photo.