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Old 04-28-2003, 06:54 PM   #1
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Dip Stick

Where in the world would you find an oil dip stick ? now using a long stainless rod. Can't really tell where the oil is on stick. Just have to feel for it.
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Old 04-28-2003, 07:01 PM   #2
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TRY MR GOOD WRENCH IT IS A " P-32" CHASSIS. OR A JUNK YARD FOR RVS. DONT THINK A TRUCK DIP STICK IS THAT LONG. LOL
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Old 04-28-2003, 08:08 PM   #3
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dip stick

Thanks Al, it's 53" long. Everything ran really well this weekend. 400 miles on first trip, no problems at all.
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Old 04-29-2003, 10:20 AM   #4
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I just recieved a dip stick I had ordered for the BB chevy 454, they assured me it was right for the P30 chassis, but it was way too short. Getting a refund, but out the shipping costs.
This has NOT been my week for internet ordered parts!
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Old 04-29-2003, 06:37 PM   #5
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it is a p-32 when you go to see mr good wrench a p-30 will work most of the time. to get some parts it must be ordered as a p-32 to get the correct part . radiator shroud is a part i really remember . kept getting the wrong part. i had to give the parts guy the vin and he called me names and told me always ask for p-32 parts for a motorhome. as for the dip stick you might note at your next oil change put six quarts in and mark your dip stick to show full. start the engine to fill the oil filter and mark it again for one qt low. then put one more in to fill it up. dip stick should show full. then get two truck dip sticks cut one off to make the other one long enough and weld it together. no strain no pain .
that should be a easy one at the junk yard. or have mr good wrench get you one for a p-32 chassis. lol
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Old 05-03-2003, 06:20 PM   #6
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shorten tube

Anyone know if you can swap out dipstick tube with a regular truck one and check oil from inside. If tube mounts in block ( I haven't looked) just pull it out if it comes out and replace with shorter tube. Cut dipstick too correct length. PO said he tried for half a day to get correct stick to go in but it hung up somewhere.
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Old 05-03-2003, 07:16 PM   #7
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Oil Level

If you do replace to dip stick make sure you replace it immediately before or after an oil change. Assuming you replace the oil filter, change filter and put 6 quarts of oil in the engine. Check with the new dipstick, and it should be indicating right at the "add" mark.

If it indicates high or low from this mark, you might want to mark the existing oil level with a line (you can scribe it in with a file) to remind you of what you actually measured.

Add one more quart of oil (total 7 - 6 quarts in engine, one in oil filter), check again, and the oil level should be at the "full" mark. Again, you may want to document the new level with a scribe line at the measured "full" level indication with the new dipstick.

Warning, modified oil pans, partially drained aftermarket oil cooler kits, or any number of things could affect this measurement, but at least you will have a basis of a known measurement, and not have to trust solely to a GM "add on" part.

I say this because I know first hand that many different parts that were manufactured for the 454 Big Block series of engines,
and some parts specifications were changed in the middle of a production year run (i.e. fuel pumps).
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Old 05-03-2003, 09:03 PM   #8
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Quote:
Anyone know if you can swap out dipstick tube with a regular truck one
A truck one wil probably be too long, use one of the chrome ones the hot rodders use, $10 or $12 and you can check oil from inside. They mount with a manifold bolt and into the oil pan.

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Old 05-03-2003, 09:23 PM   #9
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Re: shorten tube

Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Resseau
Anyone know if you can swap out dipstick tube with a regular truck one and check oil from inside.
Sure you can. The previous owner of my MH did the same. First thing I did, is put back the original P30 Motorhome tube and dipstick.
I check my oil rather frequently when travelling and the last thing I want to do is open the dog house in the middle of the summer. Besides it does get messy, too.
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Old 05-04-2003, 11:53 AM   #10
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plus it is hot. i agree i like to check my oil after i run 50 gal of gas if i have a toad the 454 in mtns will use some oil. and that is normal . only problem with the truck dip stick is can you close the dog house. the stick and housing is the same from the manifold to the pan it is secured by a manifold bolt. to each his own or different strokes for different folks. lol
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Old 10-27-2003, 02:13 PM   #11
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Mechanics told me that my oil dip stick is hanging up and that they could order one for me at such and such a price. I told them to just put it back in and I would take care of it. Well, I was looking everything over and saw that they had left it hanging out of the tube about half way, and I couldn't put it back in. So I need to get a new one, but I think even the new one will hang up because it's probably the tube not the stick. Where is the Mr. Good wrench I hear about?
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Old 10-27-2003, 03:19 PM   #12
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chevrolet parts center at the local chevrolet dealer. the tube will probably hang going in it has to be bent to fit . and dont forget the o ring. or you might have a oil leak.
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Old 10-27-2003, 04:00 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally posted by Astrodokk
Mechanics told me that my oil dip stick is hanging up ......
I bet it is. The dipstick tube has to be removed to pull the right manifold. So they probably bent it.
Its somewhat impossible to get the new tube in with out destroying it.
I cut mine and put it back together with a section of fuel line and two clamps. Been working just fine for 2 years.
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Old 10-27-2003, 05:29 PM   #14
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While on the subject just how much oil are most of you consuming?
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Old 10-27-2003, 06:00 PM   #15
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Oil Consumption

1 quart after 2,000 to 3,000 miles, then about 1 quart per thousand miles.

75,000 miles on engine.
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Old 10-27-2003, 06:03 PM   #16
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My 81 doesnt burn a drop. With 52,000 miles thats pretty damn good. I too check the oil often. Before everytrip and along the way when I make a stop. Cant be too cautious on fluid levels.
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Old 10-27-2003, 06:39 PM   #17
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less than 1 quart per 1000 miles. 51K on the engine
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Old 10-27-2003, 07:34 PM   #18
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56K on engine...don't know consumption cuz I can't check!!!
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Old 11-01-2003, 07:24 PM   #19
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new tube

pic...they said it doesn't need an O ring.(on edit)
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Old 12-11-2003, 09:38 PM   #20
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Question Oil Capacity 454

I change the oil and filter in the driveway tonight, warmed up the engine first and then did the work on the bottom. Added six quarts, stated the engine and got good oil pressure. Checked the oil level and it is just over the full mark. Ran the engine up to full temp, no change. My question is, how can you tell if the dip stick is wrong or there was oil not drained, like out of the oil cooler.
Thanks
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