I've got the truck running after sitting for 26 years and have changed the oil out 2 times now... I have not coolant leaks (new pumps, thermostats), and no oil leaks.

The oil gets dirty very quickly (and i'm talking immediately), probably because of the amount of sludge in the bottom. I haven't taken off the 8 bolt circular cleanout because it doesn't leak and I don't have another gasket for it.

However, I'm only getting about 2.5 quarts in there (no oil filter) when I fill it up before the dipstick shows it's at the top of the hashed area where it says "full". So, the question is, do i have a different oil pan than normal or is there that much sludge in the bottom or is the dipstick wrong? I've got good oil pressure at all times.

I'm thinking i need to clean it out and put a new gasket on, but not sure where to get that NOW vs waiting for a week for a delivery. Any help on that would be appreciated too.

 

I can't answer why the 2.5 quarts but.......Just bite the bullet and clean it out. It's a messy nasty job but, it needs to be done in my opinion.

I had at least an inch of sludge in the pan and under the intake. I scraped as much as possible and just flooded top to bottom with solvent until it was clean. Had to reach up and brush up from the bottom as well. Big drain pan underneath.

I just made my own circular gaskets and used aviation Permatex. I should have replaced the gasket to the dipstick boss. It seeps.

I just replaced the pan gasket and the lower crank seals as I knew I would be rebuilding soon anyway. They don't leak after a year......maybe two now.

 

You're right, it does need to be done... I'm hoping to take it to a local card show tomorrow though. So do i do it today or wait.

Anyway, if i clean it out, do i use the cleanout or drop the pan? I've read the V8 is easy to drop as there's nothing in the way (though i'm not looking at it right now to verify)??? But it's heavy from the looks of it. The easier method would be the cleanout, but probably not as thorough as dropping pan. Then again, that is what it's there for.

 

Drop the pan, it gives you a chance to check everything out. The only risk is that with a new pan gasket, the rope seals are a little looser and might start to weep. If your cleanout doesn't leak, I wouldn't touch it!

It gives some extra clearance for pulling the pan if you jack up the front by the frame, let the axle drop away from the front of the pan.

 

I'm not sure I want to know... I'm hoping for a few years of light driving before needing a rebuild.

But any idea about the 2.5 quarts? Is my dipstick wrong? Or is there maybe just that much gunk in there? I guess 1 inch of sludge over the entire pan (posts said this was how much they found) would displace quite a bit of oil...

 

Be sure the dipstick correct and is as built, that the cap that covers the tube has not moved on the dipstick. I forget how a flathead dipstick is built or if this can happen.
I mention this as I know of one big International truck engine that was run low on oil because the cap on the dipstick had slipped up to the finger loop. The dipstick measured what the owner thought was full but actually, the engine was starving for oil at high rpm and wiped the bearings out.

 

Yes, sludge will do that.

If you look at your distick, right above the marks for level, it will say "8RT" if correct.

 

Well, mine says "M" above the Full level. So, clearly not the right one.

Mine measures 16.5 inches from bottom of stick to cap. The "Full" mark is 2.75 inches up from the bottom. Anyone know any "good" measurements? If so I can figure it out and put a new mark on the dipstick. Now I'm afraid to drive it...

 

It just so happens this has come up before! Measurement is from the cap that seats on the tube.

 

You rock Ross! Not sure how you have everything documented and organized so well, but I for one appreciate it!

So, mine would be at 13.75 and in the "safe" range, but low/safe... so that makes me feel better. What do you bet 1.5 inches is close to the quart and a half I was "missing"?

I'll re-mark my dipstick. Thanks for the info!

 

Your engine should take 5 qts, whether it has a filter or not.

 

Oh really? I could have sworn I've been reading 4 without, 5 with?

I've got 4 in there now and it's not quite to the new "full" line on the dipstick, but it's pretty close. I didn't want to add more than 4 so i stopped.