Alu pans and their dipsticks . . .

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by oldopelguy The only reason for the dip stick tube to leak is if the engine is pressurized by blow-by. Oil doesn't normally run up hill. You might want to pop your oil fill cap off with the engine running and see what kind of draft you get coming out. If the case is being pressurized you'll never get the oil leaks to stop until you get the excessive gases removed or stopped.

Stephen is right, look after excessive crankcase pressure (blowby, blocked venting, etc.) for your "weeping" problems . . . first!

I'm in the midst of pulling my '69 Kadett engine which has the same "half-round, fold-over" dipstick in the alu pan, but the hole is at the pan rail, as others have said. While it is MUCH easier to check in a Kadett for which it was designed, it IS mounted directly in back of the exhaust manifold/head-pipes and becomes "finger-licking" hot when engine is up to temperature.

This particular pan is cast with another unbored dipstick protrusion directly opposite on the driver-side. I'm curious, was that driver-side protrusion ever used as the dipstick location in any Opel model, either at the pan rail or with an extender tube sticking out for "starter clearance?" Uh, I'm considering moving it there when I reassemble the engine to "sprint" specs. . . shortly.

Thing is, there's no way to use the plugged dipstick hole in the block just above the pan rail with this alu pan as the sump is too short, front-to-back, and the dipstick would bottom out against the shallow part of the pan. So, all you "early" alu pan experts, chime in . . . please! . . . especially any post-'66 Rekord/Commodore owners across the pond too!

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by tekenaar This particular pan is cast with another unbored dipstick protrusion directly opposite on the driver-side. I'm curious, was that driver-side protrusion ever used as the dipstick location in any Opel model, either at the pan rail or with an extender tube sticking out for "starter clearance?" Uh, I'm considering moving it there when I reassemble the engine to "sprint" specs. . . shortly.

Otto - This is the pan that was on the engine in my GT. It was donated by a Kadett. The dipstick is on the drivers' side and has the extension tube. I can't recall whether this was swapped when I changed the motor, but this may be what you're looking for HTH.

Corey

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by CDN OpelNut Otto - This is the pan that was on the engine in my GT. It was donated by a Kadett. The dipstick is on the drivers' side and has the extension tube. I can't recall whether this was swapped when I changed the motor, but this may be what you're looking for HTH. Corey

Exactly what I was looking for . . . still have it and can you take some measurements, length and OD of tube where it's inserted in pan hole? Is that the one you're using now, Corey? What are the dimension of the dipstick that was used with this set-up? Thanks!

. . . could you stick a drill bit up that hole from inside the pan for the ID of the hole . . . is pan going to be used for your 2.4? If not, I got first dibs for my 1.9 "sprint" engine!!

[oldopelguy]

You really don't need any of those measurements, Otto, with the exception of the hole diameter, maybe.

Since you have the other dip-stick and it attaches to the oil pan you can insert it, set the pan level on your bench, and fill it up to the empty and full marks with water. From there either mark the inside of the pan or just insert your new dipstick and scribe it to match after it's all set up to your liking.

On a Kadett, where you can easily see the side of the oil pan by looking through the driver's side wheel well, I really prefer to install a sight glass. The first one I installed was a piece of clear tubing between two 90* pipe-to-barb fittings, the next few were like the first one below, and from here on out I'm going to use ones like the second or third ones below. I'm trying to decide if I prefer the lower profile of the one or the built-in thermometer on the other for about the same $35.

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Exactly what I was looking for . . . still have it and can you take some measurements, length and OD of tube where it's inserted in pan hole? Is that the one you're using now, Corey? What are the dimension of the dipstick that was used with this set-up? Thanks! . . . could you stick a drill bit up that hole from inside the pan for the ID of the hole . . . is pan going to be used for your 2.4? If not, I got first dibs for my 1.9 "sprint" engine!!

Otto - I am on the road at the moment - just happened to have that photo on my laptop. I won't be able to provide more until tomorrow or Sunday.

I do have that pan but it is not on the car. I swapped it for a steel pan to clear the rods on my stroker. I had to cut the dipstick down for use on the steel pan, but I think I wrote the dimension down before I did.

There is a thread here somewhere where I appealed for someone to supply a proper dipstick as I understand the alu ones are hard to come by and I didn't want to cut it.

BTW, the pan is available should you want it.

Corey

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by CDN OpelNut Otto - I am on the road at the moment - just happened to have that photo on my laptop. I won't be able to provide more until tomorrow or Sunday. I do have that pan but it is not on the car. I swapped it for a steel pan to clear the rods on my stroker. I had to cut the dipstick down for use on the steel pan, but I think I wrote the dimension down before I did. There is a thread here somewhere where I appealed for someone to supply a proper dipstick as I understand the alu ones are hard to come by and I didn't want to cut it. BTW, the pan is available should you want it. Corey

. . . I'll take you up on that . . . let me know details once you get back to civilization . . . er, home. Thanks.