Moparts Tech Archive

Motor General

Checking dip stick oil markings

Anybody know how to Id a correct 383 dipstick? Ever seen any part numbers on one?
My dipstick is at the add level when it's full. I drained the oil again and put 4 quarts in without removing the filter to double check. The car has the stock oil pan. The only thing I could come up with is maybe the wrong dipstick. Any ideas?

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GregZ
Moparts Member
Posts: 4373
From: Naples, Florida !!
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-20-2002 04:40 PM

I doubt you have a filter that will hold a full quart. Most filters hold 1/2 quart or less. Add 1/2 quart, and see where the level ends up.

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origcharger
Moparts Member
Posts: 2388
From: Fort DODGE, Ioway
Registered: Feb 2000
posted 05-20-2002 04:53 PM

I have a Mopar Performance chrome stick and tube and a Milodan stock replacement pan #30760 on my 383, and it takes 6 quarts to get to the full line

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origcharger
Moparts Member
Posts: 2388
From: Fort DODGE, Ioway
Registered: Feb 2000
posted 05-20-2002 10:28 PM

Yes, I run six quarts and that just brings it to the full line. I feel with the matched dipstick and fully inserted tube the full line is at the reccommended distance below the crankshaft and thats where I want my oil level.
This Milodan replacement pan I am using is not like my original 1967 pan, it has a deeper sump and the portion over the centerlink is also slightly deeper. Even though the sump is deeper it measures about 9" from front to rear whereas my 67 pans sump was about 10.5" from front to rear. According to the pan identifier in the back of the Schumacher catalog this Milodan replacement pan is most like the "971" pan used on 73-78 B-bodies.

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Rick Ehrenberg
Moparts Member
Posts: 179
From: Marlboro, NY, USA
Registered: Nov 2001
posted 05-20-2002 11:36 PM

Chrysler dipstick calibration was notoriously inaccurate. DO NOT OVERFILL. Windage heats the oil, hammers it, aerates it, costs mega HP, etc. Generally, if the 'stick is accurate, "add" is where you wanna be for hi-po use!
Calibrate this way:

> Car on dead-level ground
> Drain pan (not filter)
> Fill to rated capacity less one qt. (3 or 4 qts. Never 5 even w/Hemi pan!!)
> mark stick - I usually drill a hole. That's your "add" mark"
> Add another quart. That's the "full" point.
Rick

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Darvin
Moparts Member
Posts: 1100
From: Silicon Valley, CA
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-21-2002 09:35 AM

Seems to me that using the dipstick may not be an accurate way of measuring oil level. If we knew the optimum distance from the oil surface to the bottom of the crank, a better more accurate adjustment could be made. I'm guessing that since the windage tray is about 1-1/4" below the skirt (on a BB), the factory calculated maximum oil level should be somewhere below that. Calculating the proper oil level would be difficult because of the factors Rick Ehrenberg mentioned and also the oil pump variable. A certain amount of oil will be up in the engine and that amount would vary depending on the type of oil pump and RPM. I've been groping for answers to this one

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HemiDoug
Moparts Member
Posts: 450
From: Bowling Green, KY, USA
Registered: Apr 2001
posted 05-21-2002 01:55 PM

I have the same questions that Darvin has. How do you know what the real pan capacity is, unless you actually measure it? And then, what is considered full? It seems to me that you have to start with the distance you want from the bottom of the windage tray (or crank throw) to the surface of the oil, and then make some adjustments based on how much oil is carried in other parts of the engine. Anybody have any numbers or specs?

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I know it's hard to do if the pan is already on the motor in the car.

But I check the oil pan when we are building the motor. By filling it with water to the level I want the oil in the pan and record the amount it took to get to that level.

Once the motor is in the car and we fill it oil I add the amount of oil I recorded to get to the level we need then do as RE stated above. Mark the stick and I know excatly whats in there and where the level is.
carl

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