DZVette

I recently changed the oil on my 1960. First oil change on the rebuilt 283. The owners manual calls for 6QTS of oil with a filter change (I am using the canister type). I checked the level after adding 5QTS and I found the reading on the dipstick in the picture below.

The engine is a correct 519 block. The car came with a 64 283 motor not of Corvette descent. The oil pan on the rebuilt 519 block is from the 64 motor. The car is set up as a 245 HP 2x4 at present.

I am seeking help/advice with the following questions:

1) Can someone with a correct 1960 set up verify the length of the dipstick and dipstick tube? Mine are both from Paragon.

2) Not having my books in front of me, is there a way I can ID the oil pan currently on the engine? My guess is this is not the right one. Doesn't look like the "3-step" pan that vendors carry.

3) Is it OK to be running the engine with the level of oil shown on the dipstick?

The engine is currently giving me about 50lbs pressure at idle and around 70-72 lbs at 2000 rpm. It pegs the original gauge and I am using a temporary gauge to check operating pressures. I am running 10W-40 oil. I only have few hundred miles on the rebuilt engine.

As always, thanks for your help!

Dave Z

knight37128

Got oil in the filter yet?

GCD1962

If you have a 5 qt pan (which most are) and a filter, then in you put in 6 qts you are on the mark no matter what indicates on the dipstick. My 350 LT-1 engine dipstick reads almost exactly in the position your photo shows. I have a 6 qt pan, but as long as I put in the correct amount I know it shows higher on the dipstick. It's been that way for over 34 years.

Coves4me

Dave, as you know the 59's and 60's are the same. I, too, am running the same engine as you and have the correct three step pan on the bottom of my engine. Since it's supposed to snow in Big D tomorrow (Heh, heh) I'll check the dipstick length and the oil mark. I am also running the canister filter. I'm pretty sure that I only put in 5 Qts, of diesel motor oil with the filter change. I think the only pan that takes 5 Qts. in the pan and one quart in the filter is the SHP pan on the 63's. I have that pan on my 62 as I thought they also had them on the 62 fuelie engines. I'll try to take some pics and post them for you. Never done it before, but I'll try.

JohnZ

No C-1 takes six quarts with a filter change; they all use the same 3-step pan, and take five quarts (four in the pan, one in the filter). The pan should look like the one in the photo below.

GCD1962

I should have clarified. My C-1 has a 70 LT-1 Short Block, 5 qt pan and 1 in filter

DZVette

Troy, George, Mark and John

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I'll keep an eye out for a correct oil pan somewhere down the road or pick up a repro from one of the vendors.

Just so that you know I'm not crazy, check out the attached thumbnails from the 1960 Operations Manual. That's where I got the 6-qt idea. Color me confused.

Mark, we had sleet in College Station this AM. Maybe more later.

Thanks to all!

DZ

62Jeff

The owner's manual for my 62 lists 6 quart capacity as well, and I've put 6 quarts in it with no problem.

Coves4me

Dave, I went out and pulled my dipstick and measured the following: From the edge of the top of the dipstick tube in the engine to the bottom of the dipstick is 19-1/8 inches. To the Add mark, 18-1/8 inches. With a total of 5 qts. of oil with the filter change (canister), the oil level reads about 1/8-inch above the add mark. What does this mean? I'm a quart low? My dipstick is wrong? (Doubtful, as it has the round tubular handle and the following stamped on it " Use GM 6041-M Quality MS Oil". The pan I have installed is exactly like the one John Z has pictured. I bought it from a GM dealer on ebay. Good luck, Dave.

Goin to the Lone Star Classic? We're bringin' the 59 this year.

Mark

magicv8

According to Coves4me, your dipstick is too long.
We need a vendor for dipsticks by length.

DZVette

Mark

Thanks for taking those measurements for me! We may make it up the the Lonestar this year. We get a chance to visit our daughter in Lewisville so it's a double plus for us. If we make it I'll look you up. I believe I still have your cell# in my phone.

Dave - Dip-sticks-by-length: how about Dipsticks-R-Us (now don't any of you jump on that line).

Thanks again!

DZ