I rebuilt my 390 (salvage yard block) and put the short block. I have heads. intake, etc on and then went to put the dip stick in. When I got the block I had to knock out a plug in the dipstick hole. I then plugged it until I got everything in. Tonight I went to put the tube in and it will only go in a little ways. Is there two different type dipsticks for the FE engine.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

 

Bob, You could have a block with a broken piece of tube still in it. If not try getting the BFH, and tapping it in.
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John

jowilker email me
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01

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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

I would suggest an LFH for a dipstick tube.

 

There were at least two different diameter dipstick tubes used in production. The larger diameter was for the older vehicles, smaller for the newer. From memory. '59 T-bird 352 had wiiiide dipstick-seems like it was about 1/4". The '67 390 had a small width dipstick, like 3/16". I do not know what year it changed, but I think that the '63 390 also had the older style wide tube/stick.
The older blocks also had their motor mount bosses and bolt holes in a different location for what it is worth... Trying to fit a '58/59 352 into a '65 Galaxie... didn't line up exactly right, but was able to make it 'work'.
tom

 

Now that you mention the different diameters, the plug that I had to take out looked smaller than the dip stick tube. I will have to see if I can find the plug and measure it. There's not any broken of piece of tube in the hole. I had the pan and everything on and was going to install the tube and found the hole plugged has to remove pan to drive it out. Then decided to wait on the tube until I had the short block in. There are no casting numbers on the block and I don't know what year it is. In my area it is extremely hard to find any FE parts. I just happened to run across the guy who had the 390 short block. Even in Spokane WA at the salvage yard there (120 acres) they had no FE anything.

Could you tell me what BFH and LFH stand for.


Thanks,

Bob

 

BFH = Big _______ Hammer

LFH = Little _______ Hammer

Fill in the appropriate @#%*@#$ word

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-May-02 AT 02:05 PM (EST)]Dn't forget about the other abbreviation.

WFO - Wide ______ Open.

Or,

WOT - Normall stands for Wide Open Throttle.
Ride with my brother & it stands for

Will's On Table

My motto:

If it's not broken, get a bigger hammer and hit it again only harder!

 

I've always liked:

Don't force it, get a bigger hammer!

Jayson

 

Bob, maybe your block came out of a 4x4 that had the dipstick in the pan.

Barry

[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html | FTE Moderator]

 

That could be Barry. The tube fits in about 1/2 way, what I am thinking is cutting the tube off that distance and then putting it in. The hole seems to be smaller about 1/2 the way in.

I'll get it figured out somehow, want to get the truck running this week yet. Keep forgetting to stop and buy some 5/8" hose for between the water pump and intake, sure is the pits sometimes to live 25 miles out of town and not be able to run in for the little things.

bob

 

My favorite saying:

>Measure it with a micrometer
>Mark it with chalk
>Cut it with an ax

Don
1973 F250 3/4 ton Custom
390 .060 over w/428 inside (422?)
Edelbrock Performer intake
Holley 4160 carb
14" K&N Filter
Stock Manifolds to twin 3" V-Force Mufflers exiting behind wheels.
and more to come.