BBC 454 Dipstick

[mustangguy]

I have a 68 camaro with what I believe to be a Mark IV 454 engine from a late 70's - early 80's vehicle. I believe that the dipstick currently in the engine is wrong (TOO LONG), as it indicates full oil levels when the oil is actually significantly low. Does anyone know the correct length of what a BBC chevy engine dipstick from this era should be?

The car holds approximately 5 quarts, and the dipstick read full prior to an oil change yesterday. The car was on a lift prior to draining the oil, and it appears only 2 quarts or so exited the oil pan. I couldn't believe it. I ran a new quart of oil through the crankcase with the drain open just to verify it was flowing freely, and it was. The car simply had only 2 quarts or so of oil in it, even though the dipstick was indicating full.

 

[punisher]

There is no telling. Passenger side stick, drivers side, truck pan, car pan etc. Truck pans usually hold an extra quart.

Put your 5 qts in it, run it a few minutes, let it drain and file a mark on the dipstick for a "full" mark.

I had a 67 Camaro with a 454, and a '69 Camaro RS with a 468 and a '71 with a 468. A '68 was my dream car,no vent windows and rounded fenderwells. Never could find one in decent shape though.

 

[AVB]

I think the oil pan is the determining factor. I have a customer with a 1969 Chevelle with the same engine. He has a 8 quart Milodon pan, it only works with the Milodon dipstick. I know you can get a generic chevy big block dipstic at O'Reilly. I think it is Mr. Gasket brand.

 

[mustangguy]

If the dipstick reads incorrectly and I'm not sure which oil
pan I have, how would I go about finding the correct oil capacity for the engine? Perhaps it's more than 5 quarts...

Here's a pic of the oil pan:

 

[morepwr]

That is certainly not a factory pan. It is either an aftermarket or a modified stock pan looking at that sump. Best guess is that it holds more than 5 quarts with that set up. Measure the depth of the pan (block rail to bottom) and compare that to a stock pan and also consider that the pan you have flares out near the bottom and that could easily hold an extra quart.

 

[mustangguy]

Hmmm, ok. I'm not sure where my 454 came from per se, so what oil pan should I compare it to? Any way to verify engine oil capacity outside of this?

 

[morepwr]

A stock 454 I have measures about 7 3/4" depth on the pan. Compare that to yours for a baseline. Once you have that, then we can try and figure out how big your pan is.

 

[Rob_Roy]

I have an 8 quart Moroso pan on the 350 in my Camaro, the factory dipstick still reads correctly...it just takes more oil to get to the same level. In your case I think it would be easiest to try and "ID" the oil pan based on dimensions and shape, then fill with the recommended amount of oil and mark the dipstick accordingly.

 

[AVB]

Originally Posted By: Rob_Roy
I have an 8 quart Moroso pan on the 350 in my Camaro, the factory dipstick still reads correctly...it just takes more oil to get to the same level. In your case I think it would be easiest to try and "ID" the oil pan based on dimensions and shape, then fill with the recommended amount of oil and mark the dipstick accordingly.


Thats because small block dipsticks feed through the block, a bbc dipstick feeds through the oil pan. But you are right about marking the dipstick.