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Ok Chevy Experts......figure this one out!

Mercury
Hi Chevy Experts,
I have a 1965 Chevy C10 truck that I just replaced the 230/250 motor in. I did the work myself, so I know it was done right. [:D] I bought a rebuilt motor, which seems to run fine.

Here is the odd thing:

I moved the dipstick tube from the old motor to the new motor, as they don't come with them, of course. The only difference seems to be that the hole where the tube goes in went straight down on the old motor, and is slanted to the back on the new motor. After putting in 5 quarts of oil, NO oil shows on the dipstick. So, I thought that maybe I didn't get the tube in far enough, but it seems to be the same distance out.

Tried to get it in a bit further, but it started mushrooming, so I said "I'll just cut it off to the proper level to wherever it shows full."

So, I got a long piece of wire to test the oil depth with, so I could measure how much to cut off (using a tubing cutter to prevent shavings, of course).

Here is the important part: Even when I hit the oil pan below with the wire, it shows NO oil on the wire! NONE! What the heck is going on? I'm baffled as to how there could be NO oil showing in the front of the pan!

I looked in my Motor book (circa 1970) and it shows that all the Chevy 230/250 engines take 5 quarts of oil, so I don't think it needs more oil.


I'm at a loss as to what to do here......any help or suggestions is appreciated!

Thanks

Merc
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Comments

15 comments

Date Votes
  • bobski
    maybe someone didnt trim off part of a gasket properly and its blocking the hole? or the wrong gasket?

    you sure the rebuild was assembled with all the same year parts?

    my 61 and 63 impalas were notorious for this quirk you have.
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  • SahaganBeta
    Some hotrod type engines have partitions in the oil pan, that keep the oil from rushing to the rear of the engine and starving the oil pump during heavy acceleration. I know my motorcyle engine is that way, and even has two (2) oil drain plugs.

    Could your's have such a thing?

    Sahagan
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  • Mercury
    Nope, the hole is clear, and the oil pan is the same as was on the old engine. Good ideas though.

    Come on you "Chevy Guys"!!!!!!!! Figure this one out for me! My dad has worked on these trucks for 40 years, and he is stumped too!

    Merc
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  • FWIW
    Did ya remember to put the drain plug back in the pan? [:o)]
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  • Mercury
    Yes, of course. :P I've put about 500 miles on it since I put the engine in. Like I said, it RUNS fine!


    Merc
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  • bgjohn
    Get a FORD!
    JM
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  • br549
    if your old motor oil tube went straight down and your new one goes in at an angle perhaps your dip stick is not emersed in the oil. in other words the stick is at a perhaps a 25% angle where on your old motor was at a 90% angle. the stick isn't touching your oil in the oil pan. just a guess but could that be the problem?
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  • bigcitybill
    Pull the pan and look up from the bottom.
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  • linthicum
    500 miles sounds like a good time to change the oil(break in). If you pull the plug and oil comes out, then its in the pan. Also cut filter open and inspect.
    The problem you are having is definitely a strange bird. Unless the dip stick is curling up from hitting the crank. No then when you pull the stick out ofter running it would show scratches or something. Man you got a tough one there. Good luck.
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  • iceracerx
    5 Qts PLUS one for the oil filter?

    You said that your "dip stick" is in the front of the oil pan? Where is the SUMP in relation to the "dip stick"? The oil is in the SUMP not in the front of the pan. Oil Pans are also covers for the bottom of the block, they aren't FULL of oil and the crank doesn't run in oil like some people (engineers at work!!!) think.
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  • swamp_thing
    OK, here is a possibility for you to ponder on. I have seen over the years some dipstick tubes that were actually made to extend part way down into the crankshaft area of the pan. There purpose was to guide the dipstick down into the oil sump area of the pan. If the angle of the hole coming through the block is not right, then the dipstick may be going off into open space rather than into the sump area. You may need to find out just what year and model the block you installed is and get the proper tube and dipstick for that model. Dave
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  • swamp_thing
    One more possibility. You have not told us if the sump area of the pan is in the rear or front of the block. You did say the hole in the block angled off one way. Some models had front and some models had rear sumps. Make sure the hole in your new block is pointed towards the sump area. Although you used the original pan, the one that was one this (replacement) block may have been the opposite. Dave
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  • LesWVa
    Sounds as if you may have a block set up for a Van or larger car that had the sump in the front in order to clear the cross member.

    I have saw guys plug holes in the block and then weld a tube for the dipstick into the oil pan just above the sump. Measure the oil once the correct amount is added, adjust for a shallower or deeper sump than stock.
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  • bobski
    i was always taught that oil sticks should never swap out. they were like mags that were fitted to guns.
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  • givette
    You are going to have to drop the oil pan, and eyeball the problem.

    The flat sump pickup strainer should "kiss" the bottom most part of the oil pan. The Dipstick bottom should be level with the bottom of the sump pickup. You may have to score-mark the dipstick to indicate full.

    Sorry, can't think of any other solution. Joe
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