Never noticed this before but, I just changed the oil in my 455 and added 5 quarts with a new filter and also a small 4 oz bottle of ZDDP. After running it for awhile and letting it sit for a few minutes the level on the dip stick shows half way between the full and add marks. Even after letting it sit overnight, it still shows the same. Is this normal? Is there that much oil still in the rocker area and valley pan? I guess I've just never looked at it this closely before.
Is it a stock pan? The TA pan takes like a quart more than the stock because the little kick out is not there. Is your dipstick an original?
If you know there are 5 quarts in the engine, I would simply make a new mark on the stick and call it done.
I don't have a tube, just the dipstick on my 455. Are there some blocks that used a dipstick tube in the block and some that didn't? If so, perhaps you have a tube with a non-tube dipstick? Just a thought. ....Jim
Which dipstick do you have? I'm aware of at least two types that will fit the BBB. One is the fat stick that has no tube and doesn't seal well. Just a flat metal that fits flush against the block. The other is the long tube that fits in the block with a longer, thinner dipstick. EDIT: Just seen you posted as I was. Make sure the stick is straight. If it has a bend after it goes into the block, it may be skewing your results. I don't think you can put the non-tube dipstick into the tubed hole. It is about a foot too short at least and too large to go into the tubed hole.
Interesting, I thought perhaps he had a tube in the block and the non-tube stick, but not possible.......huh, no idea then. I'll bow out to more knowledgeable folk. JIM
I believe 70 and earlier had no tube. And some models 71 and later had diff length sticks and tubes. However, it sounds like your readings are correct. Thats why they put a safe range on the stick, to compensate for some spillage, filter filling, rocker valley etc. If you are in the middle of the range u are good to go. Or u can top it with a 1/2 quart if you want.
Most 1970's definitely had tubes. I think the non-tube ones were either manual brake cars or early cars...I forget. If you at least get the number off the stick, we can figure out what the stick is for. Right...many different tubes and sticks were used, so they have to be somewhat a set.
OK. Just took pics of the dip stick. It's part number 1240523 and It's original to this 455 motor which I'm pretty sure is a '73. It does have a tube and is 22 1/4 in. long from the end of the red cup to the tip of the dip stick. There is something different for my motor..........I have TA Stage 1 aluminum heads and the dip stick tube bracket bolts to one of the heat stove bolts. I can't really see whether the tube is all the way into the block down to the dimple stop but, maybe if it's not, that could cause a low reading. The tube is also bolted above the heat stove which might raise it another 1/8th inch.
Where I work the techs calibrate factory dipsticks all the time. The engine is designed for a certain volume of oil and not to the mark on the stick. Just make a new mark and be done. The sticks and tubes get tweaked over the years.
Are there different diameters for the top "thimble" that covers the tube? I have an NOS one here in front of me and appears to be a larger diameter. Troy
