I'm crossing my fingers and going for the "tube too short" approach.

I've got 5 quarts in her. If it's too much, than it's better than 6. If it's too little, it better than the 3 it had. poop.

If she craps out this weekend (or in the near future) than my f150 is getting it's 360 ganked out (purrs like a kitten) and the rest parted out on craigslist.

 

With 3 quarts it should have been ~~OK, just not very optimal at all, maybe sucking some air at times. I would just use 6 (5+1) quarts, mark the dipstick, cross your fingers, and let it go. Unless of course you want to find another dipstick tube etc...

I have seen engines with so much sludge in the pan the oil would not drain out tho.

 

Torque, I'm thinking that it started to starve the valves during accel... thats what the knocking was, because the pickup wasn't picking up any more.

I think I'll drop the pan when I get back and check for sludge. Should be able to measure how far the stick is protruding into the oil pan then too. That should tell me if the tube is too short.

 

Well eveybody. Thanks for your input. I gotta hit the road.

I off on a wing and a prayer. Will report back with how things go on tues.

wish me luck!!!

 

Dump 5 quarts of water in the pan when out and measure how high it comes with the pan exactly level even tho it does tip some in the vehicle. Maybe someone else can verify that height for you. Then measure your dipstick protrusion. Someone may have switched out for a 4 quart pan. 2 quarts of sludge would seem to be extreme but inquisitive minds want to know!

Good luck!

 

Seems like this is a common issue.

I have the same issue with mine - it reads way over full. But I know it takes 6qt so I always throw 6qt in it.

 

There are 2 different DS's listed for these engines.

One for a 4x4 & one for the 4x2 and they are dated by truck build number .

The DS he said he has is for a 4x2 built after W20000.

I can't believe there aren't any measurements listed for these 2 as there are measurements listed for others.