Dipsticks

[cgarb]

Be nice to make a stand pipe off of the bottom of the pan with a plug. Remove the plug, fill with oil till it runs out the hole and put the plug back in.

[BillK]

What kind of engine are we talking about here ?

[Kevin Johnson]

GM 3.5 V6 (RPO LX9)

[ericjon262]

yep, GM LX9 V6, 3.5l "3500". the engine is very similar to a 3400 like you would find in a grand am or impala. Mine has a large cam, ported heads/intakes, and will be turbocharged. it's going into a 5 speed Fiero, so the dipstick being on the front of the engine makes checking level slightly more of a PITA, and if I want to make it easier, the best time to do it is now while the engine is out.

If you are going to make your own dipstick AND leave it installed when the engine is running, it would be a good idea to pull the pan and make sure that it will not foul the rotating assembly in some way.

that's a very good point, thanks. in this particular instance, the dipstick tube causes the whole dipstick tube to be inserted through a hole in the windage tray, and then the stick pokes out the bottom. I'll do an inspection before I call it finished.