i have the 69-80 350 block in my 90 iroc and i was always wondering why it only lakes 4 quarts of oil? there is two very minor dings in the oil pan, but i think they are way to small to effect anything. Or maybe its just supposed to take 4 quarts. But that doesn't seem right to me.

 

4 in the pan is normal, 5 with a fresh filter.

 

I always change the oil and filter together, and its always 4 quarts, thats why i was confused..maybe i should get a bigger filter?
thanks

 

Wierd. When I drain it out and change filter and run it for a bit, it always takes 5 quarts. This time I used a PF35 instead of a PF25 so it took 5.5 quarts. Never heard of it going less unless there is some goop in the pan. Next time you drain the oil, stick a wire hanger in it and fish around for sludge.

 

Stock oil capacity is actually 4.5 quarts,but 5 is accepted and doesn't really over fill. What type filter did you use,it may be the wrong one ,or faulty,or you could like aklim suggested, have an intrenal blockage. Pull a valve cover and see if the top end is draining,and check for sludge.

 

if you are basing the 4 qt capacity on what the dipstick reads, the dipstick could be too long. with a large oil filter (PF35), it will hold 5 qts of oil, unless you somehow got ahold of wierd oil pan.

double check the length of your dipstick. i had a buddy blow up his motor because he had the wrong dipstick. i know what your thinking . . . ya, he wasn't the brightess guy.

 

I was thinkin it may be the dipstick because the motor was changed so maybe they put the wrong one on. how long should the dipstick be? i put 4 quarts in with a new filter and it reads full. also the casing that holds the dipstick always pops out of the block when i try to pull the stick out,but it pops right back in, which makes me think the dipstick was changed for the wrong one.

 

i'm not exactly sure of the deminsions on the tube and stick. i'm guessing that they used the old dipstick that was in the original block, which would have been a passenger side dipstick. your new block is a driver side dipstick. i also have a old style small block in my '87. i used a sheap chrome Mr. Gasket dipstick that i bought at autozone. if i get a chance tonight, i can messure the length of the tube and the dipstick. when i change the oil, it usually reads slightly above the full mark on the stick. in the mean time, go put another quart of oil in your motor, man.

 

That is a problem. You see, there is a bump in the tube that is critical here. You should insert your dipstick all the way into the hole till the bump is next to the hole (sounds filthy ). If you don't, the tube could come out easily. Also the dipstick will read low. So, do you have the bump in the tube? If not, you may get high readings when it is low. I would say get a new tube first and check the part number on the dipstick with the GM parts people.

 

did you ever get your problem resolved? sorry i wan't able to get the dipstick dimensions you requested. i will be working on the 3rd-gen tonight, so i'll get those measurements for ya.

 

In my 305 I use 5L of oil with the DG13 fram extra guard filter it used to be 4.5. with the small camaro filter the DG13 is a 350 truck filter it`s twice the size

quarts and liters are about the same

 

i put an extra quart in for now, so I have 4.5. I can't find a dipstick for the 69-80 350 block. where would they sell one?
thanks