63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

[Joe L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Joe,
Here is a photo of the tube installed on my 63. I was able to tap a rod slightly with a diameter slightly over of the inner diameter of the tube. This provided me with more an interference fit than the 1/16 but still probably not as good as new. I may work with it some more but I didn't want to go overboard on my first attempt. After I flared the end of the tube it was difficult to remove so the attached photo could be taken.








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Kerry------

Thanks, but you didn't need to remove the tube; I would have been very satisfied with a picture of the tube as installed. However, having it removed does give me a better idea of its configuration.

The important length dimension is the DEVELOPED LENGTH. This is the measurement taken along the length of the tube from the top of the collar which seats on the block to the very top end. An easy way to take this measurement is to use a piece of masking tape, starting at the collar and lightly affixed to the tube all the way to the end. Mark or cut of the tape at the very end. Then, remove the tape, lay it on a flat surface and measure the length.

[Kerry A.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Joe, I had already taken that DL dimension fto satisfy my own curiosity. The DL is approxiamtely 8.25" to 8.3125" but most liklet 8.25". Say the length I measured is 8.25" plus the 3/4" stock below the collar that slips into the block the overall length would be 9". No problem about removing the tube. It seems as if you have a goal and I'm more than happy to assist anyway I can.

[David L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Kerry, I will double check my dipstick tube to verify my measurement in my previous photo. I may have wrote down the wrong number (old age???). I have quite a few tubes in my collection. Dave

[David L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Kerry,

I would say that dipstick tube on your 1963 is probably original. Has your engine ever been rebuilt? If it has the tube might be GM # 3732488.

There was an error in my first photo (06/21/2012) so I deleted it. The chord length (stop to end) for the 3732488 tube should be 7 7/8" with the total developed length measures 9 1/8". I have has 3 or 4 NOS 3732488 tubes and they all were like the top tube in my photo below.

The chord length (stop to end) on the bottom tube in the photo below (possibly GM # 3826074 ??? but I'm only guessing) measures 8".

I have yet to determine the difference between a 3732488 tube and a 3826074 tube. Maybe the difference is the curvature.

Enclosed is a photo with the correct dimensions.



Dave

[David L.]

Re: 63 327/300 dipstick guide tube

Kerry,

Enclosed is a photo of some of my NOS dipstick tubes as well as some research that I did about 20 tears ago on the 3739830 dipstick (58-63 Corvette & Chev. truck).

Dave