[DeTomaso] GTS Stock Oil capacity and dipstick length.

Asa Jay Laughton asajay at asajay.com
Sat Sep 22 00:45:51 EDT 2007


Thanks to all who replied. :)

I got home and measured my dipstick, it was 38 5/8 on the nose, yellow 
handle.
 From the end of the tube to the valve cover bracket is 3 3/8.  On 
Stev's,  it was 5 3/8, a whole two inches longer presuming the valve 
cover bracket is tacked at the very same place.  Couple that with the 
fact my dipstick is also darn near an inch longer and we have a 
difference of almost three inches. 

My tube length measured 26 or 28 something.  I don't think I'm getting 
it quite right because it's really tight up front on mine.  After seeing 
Jim Cain's post, saying he has a tube that is 27 inches long, I think 
that's close to what I have.  I think I got the measurement on Steve's 
car wrong, but did get it right on my car.  Steve has some really high 
valve covers with the fancy oiling system, and I was trying to feel my 
way around the front end to get the tape measure in the right spot.  Not 
sure if I did, if I hit part of the head instead of the entry point on 
the block, then my measurement could be off by a few inches.

Bottom line, it's got a stock pan on it, no fancy expansions, ala Aviad 
or anyone else, it's stock.  He has an unmodified aftermarket Hall tube 
that has never been checked for length.  His dipstick is stock, 
originally yellow but he painted it red to match the car.  It measures 
at 37 3/4.

Also, Steve revealed that he has had to change plugs often, due to 
fouling, hmm, gee, you think?

When I was there (long after Rob had left) we started it up and it 
didn't smoke at all.  Steve just about cried.  We revved it for a while, 
still nothing.  Left it running as I explained how it would be if it 
were valve guides, intake gasket, head gasket, etc.  After a few minutes 
of that we start revving it again.  Oh BOY! did it smoke.  Both 
exhausts, evenly and lots of it, only when we revved.  So I did my very 
best to convince him it was an over-filled crankcase.

Steve will execute the plan tomorrow.  Drain oil then refill with 5 
quarts.  He will then run the engine, check oil pressure and listen for 
bad noises.  I doubt he will hear any.  Once satisfied, he will begin 
cutting about a half inch at a time from the end of the tube.  He will 
be using a tubing cutter, so no little shavings (hint, hint Mikey)  Once 
the oil level is mid-way in the safe zone, he will stop.

I'll check back with him later tomorrow.

Thanks all,
Asa Jay

Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired

& Shelley Marie
Spokane, WA

1973 Pantera L 5533
[ASASCAT]
    
******************************     
http://www.asajay.com
http://www.351c.info
  



MikeLDrew at aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 9/21/07 18 16 25, asajay at asajay.com writes:
>
>
>   
>> I'm at Steve Harrell's house.  The test drive yielded a bunch of 
>> smoke, continously.  I think we've over-filled the crankcase.  Steve 
>> did a wonderful job of detailing the car, but when he went to chane 
>> oil and filter, he put what amounts to 10 quarts in, (8 oil and two 
>> additives).
>>
>> To me, the pan looks stock, not extra capacity.  Here is the problem.
>>
>>     
>>>> Well, that means you have about double the required amount in there. :<(
>>>>         
>
>
>   
>> The dipstick reads full with 10 quarts, and didn't read anything until 
>> he got that much into it.  The dipstick measures at 37 3/4 inches, 
>> which is within 1/4 of the recommended 38 inches.  
>>
>>     
>>>> 1/4 inch makes a bit of a difference, but not that much.   Still, the 
>>>>         
> early dipsticks were too long (which meant you didn't run enough oil); the later 
> ones were exactly 38 inches and the early ones were supposed to be modified to 
> that length.   Is the handle painted yellow?
>
>
>   
>>> So why is it 
>>>       
>> overfull and reading just right on the dipstick?
>>
>> The only other clue I have is that the dipstick tube was replaced with 
>> a Hall unit many many years ago.  Was the Hall unit a different length?
>>
>>     
>>>> Oh, wait a minute.   There is zero quality control with an aftermarket 
>>>>         
> dipstick setup; it is up to you to cut the tube to the proper length to get the 
> proper reading.   This can only be done properly by removing the oil pan.   
> Chances are the dipstick itself is also an aftermarket unit which is why it is a 
> random length.
>   
>>> Was there a different pan put on GTS?
>>>       
>>>> The Euro GTS had a 10-quart baffled pan as an option (looks externally 
>>>>         
> like an Aviaid), but the US-model cars got the stock Ford pan.
>
>   
>>> Was a different length tube put on GTS?
>>>       
>>>> No.
>>>>         
>
>   
>>> Is a different length dipstick needed for GTS?
>>>       
>>>>> No.
>>>>>           
>
>   
>>> We are going to jack it up so I can get a proper look, but initially 
>>>       
>> it all looks stock.  Any feedback I can get while we are back in the 
>> garage would be helpful.
>>
>>     
>>>> Hopefully that helps?
>>>>         
>
>   
>> The tube length is 24 3/4 from the point it inserts to the block, to 
>>     
> the point where the dipstick goes in.  The ford parts book says it 
> should be 18 1/4".  I don't think we are six inches off (but I could 
> be wrong).
>
>   
>>>> Six inches is huge.   But remember, your dipstick is the wrong length too 
>>>>         
> (albeit only by 1/4 inch).
>
>   
>> Does anyone know if the Hall stainless tube was meant to be "cut to length?"
>>     
>
>   
>>>> Yes, it is.   I have helped a couple of people install those things (which 
>>>>         
> they got from Bobby Byars), and he indicated that the tube was intentially 
> over-long (although he didn't say way--it just makes more work).
>
>   
>> For now, we are going to drain the pan (it -is- a stock pan, I got 
>>     
> under and gave it the once over), then refill with five quarts and 
> probably start hacking the tube off.
>
> Any more thoughts?
>
>   
>>>> Stuff a rag down the tube before you start sawing, to trap any metal 
>>>>         
> shavings that migh result.
>
> The proper way to do this job is to pull the pan, but your technique is 
> probably close enough/safe enough.   And once you've gone through the effort to 
> pull the pan, you're crazy to put it back on, as opposed to replacing it with a 
> proper Aviaid pan.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Mike
>
>
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