Oil level on Dipstick
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Oil level on Dipstick
I have a F259 1972 with 390. I have always keep the oil at the full mark when cold. I recently changed oil, put 5 qts in, ran the engine, let sit overnight, and checked oil level. Level was 1/2 way between the add and full marks on the dipstick. So, is the consensus, I should leave it at that level and consider that being all the oil it should have, or add 1/2 quart and bring it to the "full" mark?
What kind of damage can 1/2qt, 1qt, or 1 1/2 qt too full, if any, do to an engine?
Joe
What kind of damage can 1/2qt, 1qt, or 1 1/2 qt too full, if any, do to an engine?
Joe
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From: Marengo, Iowa
i would say leave it, as thet is the zone which the manufacturer decided is safe to run, no higher and no lower, although you can get away with a little either way, just that in the hash marks is acceptable.
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From: nevada
When I first got my 72 F100 with 390 in it, it had 2 dipsticks, one thru the block, and 1 thru the pan. Never knew which one to believe. Some one had bolted on an 8 or 9 qt pan. So when I did my rebuild, I got rid of pan stick, and welded hole shut. It took 9 qt of water in pan to get it to just below crank level. (Off the block of course). Then after motor went together, I installed new dipstick and 9 qt of oil, and then ground a new hash mark on bottom of stick. By the way, I have always kept my oil level at "Full" mark, rather than leave it at 1/2 qt low. Just the way I am.
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1972 F250 390 oil capacity
Originally Posted by memorylanetrucks
I thought all the truck (pickup) FE motors took 6 quarts.... that's what a Ford parts counterman told me, and I thought I read it somewhere on this site, too.
It will probably turn out it doesn't make any difference.
Thanks.
Joe
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From: nevada
BTW, when I change oil, I always fill filter about half full before screwing it on. On a filter that is mounted straight up, I will fill it to the top. You will notice the engine runs quieter in the first few seconds of first start-up. (Less noise, less wear)
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
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From: "Islander"
baitmaster, if you run a 3 quart accumulator, thats 1 1/2 qt. oil and 1 1/2 qt. precharge you'll have a "wet start" before the crank turns after doing a oil change.
(no lifter, bearing noise, minimal wear)............................o&o>............. .................
(no lifter, bearing noise, minimal wear)............................o&o>............. .................
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From: western KS
i have a 94 ranger that ever since i bought it i noticed that at 2/3's the way to full line is where it would always run and if i added to put it on the full line in 3 days or so it would drop back down to the 2/3's level so i just leave it there because it rarely drops to where i need to add a little. In short just use your own judgement, try to find out where it seams like it is full to you. Also after you change oil, run the engine for 2 or 3 min. turn it off after about 5 or 10 min check the oil, it may need a little oil due to the filter. after that just use common sence when you check oil
Last edited by 4020loaderman; Jul 28, 2004 at 10:49 PM.
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Originally Posted by baitmaster
BTW, when I change oil, I always fill filter about half full before screwing it on. On a filter that is mounted straight up, I will fill it to the top. You will notice the engine runs quieter in the first few seconds of first start-up. (Less noise, less wear)
Thanks. Good tip.
Joe
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From: nevada
Beemer, you are so right, but right now I've got a full power steering kit, oil cooler kit, 1 wire alt, and poly spring bushings sitting in a pile on the garage floor. One project at a time... if I could only find some time.
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From: "Islander"
baitmaster, it's summer you should be on the road, save the repairs for winter. The new
ford trucks, 98 up have a power steering cooler under the front bumper, works better than the old loop tube coolers on the bumpsides and it's easy to mount.
Part # F81A-3D746-AC. 4" x 6" x 3/4", has mounting brackets, cost only 42 clams. It can mount to 1 1/4" angle iron across the frame rails. You'll have to hard pipe from the steering box to cooler and to the pump with a short flexable hose to the pump return. Try Neo power steering oil verse ATF. My $.02. Carl..........................o&o>............
ford trucks, 98 up have a power steering cooler under the front bumper, works better than the old loop tube coolers on the bumpsides and it's easy to mount.
Part # F81A-3D746-AC. 4" x 6" x 3/4", has mounting brackets, cost only 42 clams. It can mount to 1 1/4" angle iron across the frame rails. You'll have to hard pipe from the steering box to cooler and to the pump with a short flexable hose to the pump return. Try Neo power steering oil verse ATF. My $.02. Carl..........................o&o>............
Post Fiend
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From: "Islander"
FSC, is your running a FT sump, that can take 13 1/2 quarts of oil,you should not over fill with the standard oil filter dipstick as you may cause foam or bubbles from the crank whipping the oil, bad thing unless you have a windage tray, flanges and trap doors. Over filling can be worse than under filling. If your going to drag of go off road you want rear sump pickup with full sump. This way if the engine fails it's not by lack of lubrication. Too much is as bad as too little lube.......................o&o>................... .
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Another thing to consider is that something may be keeping some oil in the top of the engine, a plugged oil return hole or such or it could be that there is something keeping the dipstick from seating properly in the tube. Seems odd that it is now just a little low. Consensus should be that if it is between the marks don't do anything and too much is bad.
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