[Tigers] Dipstick and oil level report

[Tom Witt]

MessageRon,
First, thank you for the labor in doing this. For those who are strict and precise it seems like a chassis jig is your only hope! (LOL)

It would be interesting to know (not asking, just musing) what amount of the 4 quarts in the pan reduces due to pudding/clinking, oil passages and what does and doesn’t drain back from the filter. I am also curious, what, if any of the 4 quarts went outside the sump area. By that I mean did the oil height extend into the broader area of the pan. If it did then I’d estimate that volume increases 1-1/2 to 2 times once the oil reaches that point for a given dip stick rise amount.

I learned about the angle issue the hard way. I did an engine swap and to get the engine started dumped in (the only) 3 quarts of synthetic oil I had. The car started fine and I had good oil pressure idling. I shut it down and worked on other areas. Months later when the car was driven I would find that as the car warmed up - the oil pressure dropped. I checked the dip stick and making a mental compensation for the driveway angle felt the level was sufficient.  I mean, after all, I had put in 5 quarts (I thought) months ago.  It was only after seeking  exceptionally level ground and factoring for the significant 6-7 degree rearward angle of the engine (350 Chevy in a 64 Studebaker in case you are wondering) that in fact I was 2 full quarts low!  The good news is that no damage appeared to be done and in this case the repair was made with a funnel.

I still think that the best thing to do is an oil change (on level ground), warm the engine up, shut off and see where the dipstick level is after sitting a few minutes.  A file or Dremel tool can then be used to notch the stick. I then use the add/full range as a rough visual guide as it relates to the new mark.

Tom

From: Ron Fraser via Tigers 
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 12:42 PM
To: tigers at Autox.Team.Net 
Subject: [Tigers] Dipstick and oil level report

I set up a fixture - 289 oil pan, timing cover and oil pump with pick up

I used my 260 Tiger dipstick and tube.    The end of this dipstick is about 1/2" off the bottom of the oil pan.

Leveled fixture front to back, side to side

2qt - level is at ADD line
3qt - level is 1/4" below FULL line
4qt - level is at the top L of FULL

Tiger oil lines hold about 4 oz

I calculated the volume for oil filters - actual fluid measurements probably vary
Fram PH8A = 49.214 cu in = 27.27 oz = 1.7 pt    ( 1.7 + .25 = 1.95 pt) almost 1qt
Fram PH3600 = 34.289 cu in = 18.99 oz = 1.18 pt

I measured the angle of my Tiger engine at 2 degrees tilted down at front
I measured the angle of my 1988 Mustang engine at 4 degrees tilted down at back

Tilt test
2 degree front        3qt - level is at FULL line
                            4qt - level is 1/16" below Ford logo oval

5 degree back    3qt - level is 1/4" above ADD line or just below mid line
                        4qt - level is 1/8" below FULL line

I never think the tilt of the engine would mean so much but there you have it - Tilt means everything with respect to the dipstick.

Ron Fraser



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