i am doing headers and i could not get the dibstick tube out of the block. i pulled on it so hard the tube snapped off even with its hole in the engine. what can i do? i need my car for work soon and this is really not what i need. if anyone can help or offer advise i would appreciate it so much. thanks guys.

 

Where did it snap? Can you get the headers in with the tube broken off? What I've seen some people do is take a piece of heater hose and some hose clamps and put it back together like that. A lot of people can't get the dipstick tube back in without cutting it into two pieces and splicing it back together like that.

 

Umm...did you unbolt it from the block first? It should have slid right out after that.

 

As pointed-out above, the dip-stick tube has a tab that bolts to the block (just below the head). I believe it is about a 13mm bolt head +/- 1 mm.

If your passenger's side exhaust manifold is removed, you should be able to see the tab on the tube and the bolt. All late model SBCs (1987 up) use that same type dip-stick tube (with the bolt tab).

WD

 

To get the tube back in (assuming you find a way to repair it) clean up the tip, then sand the end down a little bit using a fine grit sandpaper. It should slide in fairly easily after that (use a bit of lube too!).

 

yes i unbolted it, assuming that 1 tab is the only thing holding it on.. it snapped off flush with the hole in the block so my question is what to do.. i know how to get one back in but what should i do right now... ive temporarily threaded a screw into the hole so i can drive it for now but id like to get the old tube out, so any ideas?

 

I cant think of anything, perhaps someone else can chime in

 

Good night! This sounds like something that would happen to me. When I did my headers that dumb oil dipstick tube was hard to get out and there was no way in the world that I could get it back in. We had two people working on it and it simply would not go. Went and bought a Lokar tube that leaks like crazy if it isn't seated absolutley perfect, but MUCH easier to instal. A while back I bought a brand new GM tube and tried to get it in there. Jacked the motor up on the passenger side for better a better angle and it still wouldn't go. I gave up on that junk with my headers.

Anywho, maybe you could get the same size bolt you have now, just a little longer and screw it in and try to pull it out with some vise grips holding the bolt. I don't know if that tube actually sticks out of the block into the pan, but I guess if the bolt trick doesn't work it might turn into to dropping the oil pan and getting it out from the bottom, that is if it sticks through enough.

 

ok well for now i tapped a screw into the hole so it wont leak for now but i have no dipstick, i plan on pulling the engine in about a year so itll have to last until then. thanks everyone who took the time to post on here i appreciate it alot

 

If the bolt threads in thightly enough, you might be able to use a washer under that bolt so as you tighten it, the washer wedging against the block will help pull the tube out? Or, the washer will give you something to tap on from below with a long drift punch?

If the block was painted with the tube in, it's glued now. Apply heat to loosen it before pulling again. If you can't torch it directly (micro butane torch lighter, maybe?) to soften the paint, sticking a red hot poker in the hole first might do it. Or just heat the bolt first.

A large self-tapping screw might grab better.

Maybe bolt a small chain to the tube for a better pull point? Careful not to chew the tube up so much you shave metel into the pan.

To insert my tube with headers seemed impossible at first, but I finally got it bent just right and it wiggled in.

That's all I got. Good luck!

 

pull the oil pan and knock it out from the bottom with a drift

threading a screw into it is only going to put outward pressure on it, therefore actually making it more difficult to remove since it will be tighter in the block