Crankcase oil capacity dilemma

[Astrodokk]

Let's talk crankcase oil capacity once again. Many years ago, I started a thread about this topic because my oil tube and dipstick were destroyed by the shop that installed the headers. The new fill line was not calibrated to the oil pan, and they never marked the stick at that current oil level. Eventually, it got marked at the 5 qt. level, and I've been running it like that for years. Recently, I had the oil changed and I was perusing the owner's manual which states that the 454 uses 7 qts. I believe this is minimum, as other features such as coolers, filters et cetera will require more oil. Does anyone use less than 7 qts. in their 454? Or should there be a minimum of 7 qts. in there at all times? Thanks.
Here is the original short thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...ity-55697.html

[Robfike]

I run 7 quarts in our 345. My dipstick has been remarked from original to show the 7 quart level. If I get the chance I will take a picture of it tomorrow and post.

[dadstoy]

Every oil and filter change for me it is 7.5 quarts.

[Astrodokk]

Hopefully all the different years of builds used the same 454 and oil pan, Mine is a 1979 P30 chassis that Airstream used to build a 1981 coach onto. Anyone with an older 454 like in the late 70's? If the 345's used the same engine in the mid 80's, then 7 qts. seems to be the consensus.

[Robfike]

Here you go guys. This is a picture of our dip stick.
If you look close you can see where the two hash marks have been added to a stock GM stick. The new low line is over part of the original "full" word. The new full mark is just under the word "use". At the one end of the picture you can see the GM part number, 14050536W
Hope this helps, Rob

[Astrodokk]

Did you have to get a different stick from stock, to where you had to re- mark it?

[Robfike]

The dip stick in the picture is the one in my 345 when we got it. I just assumed that it came that way from the factory.