Angled Dipstick

[cv2065]

I just dropped my engine in and the dipstick tube is about 1/4” from the side of the footbox without the dipstick. Handle won’t clear. Anyone have the same issue and used an angled dipstick? I found a flexible braided dipstick from Speedway that might work but thought someone might have some suggestions.

[CraigS]

I see the braided sticks on a lot of current daily drivers.

[OB6]

I used a Lokar dipstick that solved my clearance issues.

https://www.lokar.com/engine-dipsticks.html

[gbranham]

I'm probably going to take heat for this, but I'm not even going to install a dipstick on my engine. My oil pan has a 7 qt capacity (Milodon), so I put 7.25 qts in it (the extra is to fill the oil filter), and I'll change my oil every 3000-4000 miles, or if I don't drive that much, maybe once or twice during the driving season. I haven't pulled a dipstick to look at oil in any of my cars in years.

Greg

[cv2065]

As an FYI if anyone needs a flex dipstick, I found out that the fitting for oil pans is not necessarily universal. The Canton pans for example use a 1/4" NPT and not the 5/8-18 that Lokar lists for the 351W. I check my oil and steering fluid before every drive for peace of mind.

Thanks for the replies!

[MB750]

I'm probably going to take heat for this, but I'm not even going to install a dipstick on my engine. My oil pan has a 7 qt capacity (Milodon), so I put 7.25 qts in it (the extra is to fill the oil filter), and I'll change my oil every 3000-4000 miles, or if I don't drive that much, maybe once or twice during the driving season. I haven't pulled a dipstick to look at oil in any of my cars in years.

Greg

Nice, I like it. It's the epitome of blind faith.

[gbranham]

Nice, I like it. It's the epitome of blind faith.

Not really. I have an oil pressure gauge. I can read spark plugs. I can see blue smoke from my exhaust. If the engine is built properly, why does one need to "check oil" before every drive? What exactly is one looking for when they pull the dipstick? Just checking oil level? I know this is blasphemy to many...I get it. Heck, my Dodge Ram doesn't have a dipstick, either. Realistically, I'll probably put 500 miles on my car each driving season, so oil changes are less about mileage and more about time. My engine is brand new. I'll likely change the oil 3 or 4 times a year.

[Justin]

I'm probably going to take heat for this, but I'm not even going to install a dipstick on my engine. My oil pan has a 7 qt capacity (Milodon), so I put 7.25 qts in it (the extra is to fill the oil filter), and I'll change my oil every 3000-4000 miles, or if I don't drive that much, maybe once or twice during the driving season. I haven't pulled a dipstick to look at oil in any of my cars in years.

Greg
I don't check mine either. However, I do my own oil changes. I have a 2015 Ram w/ 6.7 and a 12 Yoda Highlander. I check the oil BEFORE changing the oil. Neither leak. Neither burn or use oil. But It's nice to see how it looks before the change.

[Mike.Bray]

I used this one (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-ed-5017) mounted in the pan and supported on the top at the cylinder head. You can see it here.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20241207150457.jpg

Hopefully with the new engine checking the level won't be as important:)

[Norm B]

I bought a Lokar one and bent it to shape with a tubing bender. They come over length and you cut them to match your application.

[rthomas98]

Not really. I have an oil pressure gauge. I can read spark plugs. I can see blue smoke from my exhaust. If the engine is built properly, why does one need to "check oil" before every drive? What exactly is one looking for when they pull the dipstick? Just checking oil level? I know this is blasphemy to many...I get it. Heck, my Dodge Ram doesn't have a dipstick, either. Realistically, I'll probably put 500 miles on my car each driving season, so oil changes are less about mileage and more about time. My engine is brand new. I'll likely change the oil 3 or 4 times a year.

I am mainly checking oil level and potentially water in the oil. Head gaskets tend to go from sitting not while driving. Prefer to see there is an issue before I start the engine as opposed to after and risk some damage. If you are waiting for white smoke you are already doing damage to the engine. So the 15 seconds of checking the oil is worth it to me even if I never see evidence of the above. Just my 2 cents.

[JCB52]

I am mainly checking oil level and potentially water in the oil. Head gaskets tend to go from sitting not while driving. Prefer to see there is an issue before I start the engine as opposed to after and risk some damage. If you are waiting for white smoke you are already doing damage to the engine. So the 15 seconds of checking the oil is worth it to me even if I never see evidence of the above. Just my 2 cents.

I’m in the same camp. I put a Lokar dip stick in just to observe the look of the oil.

[cv2065]

I used this one (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-ed-5017) mounted in the pan and supported on the top at the cylinder head. You can see it here.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/20241207150457.jpg

Hopefully with the new engine checking the level won't be as important:)

That 12" looks nice and clean with that placement Mike. I opted for the same one but in the 24" size to match the stock one but now I'm not sure. Any issue with the tube heating up from the header? I never thought a dipstick would be so much $$$. :eek:

[Avalanche325]

I did a flex and locking Lokar dipstick. It goes into Levy oil pan. I had to make an adapter out of some tubing and fittings.

[cv2065]

I did a flex and locking Lokar dipstick. It goes into Levy oil pan. I had to make an adapter out of some tubing and fittings.

I did see that the Lokar's are universal and may require some cutting. Looks like they give good instructions to get it right.

[Mike.Bray]

That 12" looks nice and clean with that placement Mike. I opted for the same one but in the 24" size to match the stock one but now I'm not sure. Any issue with the tube heating up from the header? I never thought a dipstick would be so much $$$. :eek:

No issue with heat that I've noticed. Another nice thing about the Lokar is after it's installed, you fill the engine with the correct amount of oil (usually the pan manufacturer will specify an amount + the filter) and then set the dipstick height for the correct measurement. Easy peezy. For my shallow Aviaid pan I ended up cutting some off of the stick.