The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Oil level

After 5.5 qts of oil and about another 1/2 qt of additive, my truck still reads 1 qt low on the dipstick. Obviously, I should add more oil.

But I am afraid the dipstick and oil pan might not be the correct match, and the dipstick could be reading wrong. Both are aftermarket. That basically is the anthem for my truck, mismatched parts that work.

The major worry I have is to much oil getting foamed up by the crankshaft then the oil pickup pulling foam instead of oil. Is this a legit fear? The oil pressure gauge reads just above half when driving, and that's where it always has been.

Thoughts? Should I just fill it up till the dipstick is happy?

283?

Yessir same engine described in my little description under the post. Because of all the work done to it prior to me, I do not know what size oil pan is on it, and in there lies the problem.

bump?

Chevrolet did have an oil pan that had a 6 quart capacity. I'm not sure what the specific application was but years ago when I was involved with dirt track racing the guys would use them in the stock classes.

Ok Don. I suppose my main question is will it hurt to run possibly 1 quart to much oil? It might be the correct amount, but it might also not be...

seems 5 or 6 quarts should be enough, regardless of how deep the pan is,the pickup is still pretty much at the bottom. And it is still 5 or 6 quarts which I know will be adequate for a small v8, as every one I have ever had only held 5 quarts, I'm thinking you should go with 5 quarts unless you find out different for absolutely sure. An extra quart might get into the crankshaft and foam the oil like you said, and unless you are racing this engine, 5 quarts should be plenty. (or 6 if you like) But I guess the main point is to have enough, and unless you have some really odd shaped pan, 5-6 quarts is an adequate amount of oil, as determined by the sheer number of V8's out there with 5 quart pans. anything after that COULD be counterproductive. You could measure the oil pan and compare to some other pan of known capacity. to see if the extra capacity is in depth or width of pan. Or any at all...........

The factory pans I've seen had a sump that was longer front to back. I agree 5 quarts is probably enough oil. I would find a matching dipstick and tube then you can compare it to what you have. If you have a matching dipstick and tube installed you will end up with the oil at the correct level. Don

Sounds good thanks guys. How would I go about finding the correct match?

Go to JEGS or SUMMIT and order a stock style SBC dipstick and tube for $16. Or go to a junk yard and tell them you need a SBC dipstick and tube. Install it in place of the old and fill it to the level mark.

Ok, I'm going to make it home from college in one of the upcoming weekends, but I won't have alot of time.

Can anyone tell me the length of their CORRECT sbc dipstick? I guess both the total length of the dipstick itself (tip to tip), and also the length of the tube from the block to the end.

help?

Change your oil and put five quarts new oil in. then mark where that is on your dipstick. That's full. You could also duplicate the one quart low mark the same distance down from the full mark as was factory marked. You could also use the difference between the "full marks" to determine you much you need to alter your dipstick tube.

Brilliant!!

Thanks