i'm stumped... can anyone explain why my dipstick reads one way when pulled out facing up, and another way when pulled out facing down? (its the difference between being full, and adding a quart)

 

Engine or A/T dipstick? What year is the truck, what size is the engine, 2WD or 4WD?

 

engine dipstick, 1970 f250 4x4 360

 

C6TZ-6750-C .. Engine Oil Dipstick / Marked: C6TE-6750-C / 19.09" shield to full / 19.57" shield to add / 22.32" shield to end / Obsolete

No Ford Dealer or obsolete parts vendor has any.

Applications: 1966 F100 352 4WD / 1967 F100/250 352 4WD / 1968/72 F100/250 360 4WD

 

Does it have an arc in it near the end? Inserted one way it would be tight and may sit deeper in the pool. The other way would allow the end to flex upward once in and rest higher in pool. Best guess.
On single pull, do opposite sides read same or different ?

Next change, add exact OEM requirement. Check both ways and use the one that comes out right ?

 

that's why it stumped me. i thought maybe one way it doesn't go in as far, but checked and it was equal. in addition, on an individual pull, the stick measures the same on both sides, so it is not sitting at some crazy angle where oil is higher on one side than the other. it must be something simple, but those were the only things i came up with to look for so far.
--- i'll have to check if it arcs a lot when pulled out (i didnt think so, but that must be it)