How Long is Yours?

My 72 (4129) is 17 inches long, using the measuring points you used. Now I bet you're really confussed....good luck...Pappy

Might want to take that "new" tube down to your local Ford parts guy and check the part numbers. Maybe it's from an Econoline van. Here's another post about Econoline van dipstick tubes for 351W conversions as a reference:
http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5650045562/m/8190013815

What I do is ... drain the oil and change the filter. Install the filter and fill the motor with the correct amount of oil ..depending upon the size of your pan ... then install the tube and put the dipstick in ... read what it measures and cut the tube until it reads on the full mark .. I can measure it for you if you want .. but who knows if the dipstick matchs the tube ??

Ron

I got the dipstick tube from Pantera Performance, they said it was from a Pantera, not an econoline. The oil trick is the most logical, but I replaced my oil pan with a "road race" pan. I think it was rated for 10 quarts but I had to modify it to make it fit and I reduced the capacity slightly. I would think all Pantera dipstick tubes would measure the same. The dipstick is supposed to be 38 inchs, that's a published number, so all the tubes should be a standard lenght too. It looks like the bottom half of the tube is the original Ford tube and the top half was just "spliced" on where the collar is. Thanks for your number pappy, how about a few more guys getting out the tape measure. No need to get at the front of the engine, just remove the engine screen (if you have one) and measure from the top of the "splice" to the end of the tube.
And please don't exaggerate, it's not a contest

I took the following from a stock unit that was replaced with a Lokar piece at a PCNC tech session a couple of years ago. These are the dimensions that really matter, as the tube length really isn't what is being measured here. Hope this helps -

STOCK DIMENSIONS

LENGTH OF TUBE BELOW THE RIDGE THAT BOTTOMS OUT ON THE ENGINE BLOCK = 9 15/16”

FULL MARK OF DIPSTICK IS 11 9/16” BELOW THE RIDGE

ADD MARK ON DIPSTICK IS 12 3/8” BELOW THE RIDGE

Larry

Thanks Larry, but my dipstick tube is installed in the engine and it's a real pain to remove it to make those measurements you've supplied. What I really need is the dimension shown in my photograph. So far one person measured 17 inches, I think a few more responses and we might see what the "right" number is, or at least an average length.

Installed already - got it.

In that case, here is a PM that LarryW sent to me. He came up with a method that I hadn't thought of, but I think it will work for your situation, too.

Posted October 27, 2007 10:06 AM
So Larry,
To use your dimensions to verify if my dipstick reading correctly I would measure my tube from the shoulder at the block back to the point where the dipstick is inserted. Lets say it's 26" even. ( I just guessed, I can't actually check it for sure right now) I'll add that to the 11 9/16" shoulder to "full" dimension you provide for a total of 37 9/16". Now I lay my dipstick on the bench and measure down from where the stick handle seats on the tube and should see the full mark at 37 9/16" down. If not, adjust accordingly either by shortening the tube or remarking the dipstick.

Am I on the right track?

Thanks,
(one of the other) Larrys

quote:

Originally posted by racerdave:
I've got a new dipstick tube and it seems to be longer that my old tube. Can someone measure their tube for me? Measure from the "coupling" to the end. See attached photo. I've got one tube that measures 18 inches and another 19 1/4 inches.

Mine is 17 1/16" as shown as your "?" dimension. It's on a stock 71',#1740. Hope that helps.

John

What's with these 17 inch measurements? You guys must be measuring wrong...... Oooops.... My mistake, my old tube IS 17 inches and the new tube 18. So it looks like 17 is the right number and I just cut an inch off my new tube. Please no new postings from someone measuring 18 inches
Thanks John, Pappy, and others.