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4R70W dipstick / explorer swap

Postalpal

Contributor
Jr. Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Messages
81
Loc.
Thornton
Anyone actually have a recommendation on a dipstick for the 4R70W that doesn’t leak ? Everything I read people of all types of restorations are all having this issue
Just RTV the Fk out of it ?
 
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Postalpal

Postalpal

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Jan 11, 2017
Messages
81
Loc.
Thornton
Currently leaking again
 

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Postalpal

Postalpal

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Jan 11, 2017
Messages
81
Loc.
Thornton
Mine is the Lokar , poor design for the money for sure , maybe the type with a O-ring is better ?
 

widowmaker77

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Messages
564
From what I’ve read the factory ford oring is what you need to use to keep it from leaking. Once I changed mine to that it hasn’t leaked anymore.
 

SLOWnEASY

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Sr. Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2022
Messages
517
Loc.
San Diego, Ca.
I'm confused by the pictures showing the threaded plastic bushing and the replies of using an oring. I don't see a place for the oring. Are you guys suggesting that he just puts the oring on the end of the tube so that it gets pushed into the transmission by the threaded end of the busing?
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,066
Nope. Ditch the poor design aftermarket dipstick. Get a factory dipstick that has an O-ring and works.

There isn't a simple fix for keeping that aftermarket dipstick. It's just a poor design.
 

bronco italiano

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 1, 2004
Messages
2,593
I'm confused by the pictures showing the threaded plastic bushing and the replies of using an oring. I don't see a place for the oring. Are you guys suggesting that he just puts the oring on the end of the tube so that it gets pushed into the transmission by the threaded end of the busing?
The old lokars had machined grooves in the dipstick for 2 O-ring's. To save money, and maximize profit, some idiot came up with that sleeve garbage.
 
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Postalpal

Postalpal

Contributor
Jr. Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Messages
81
Loc.
Thornton
I’m gonna try a stock one , I agree this type was a complete waste , zero chance it ever stays in the case. I’ll try a stock one with my set up & see if it fits otherwise I’ll order the style with O-Rings as I see lokar still has both available , they should immediately stop selling this junk style I will keep everyone posted
 
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Postalpal

Postalpal

Contributor
Jr. Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2017
Messages
81
Loc.
Thornton
Went with the stock oil
& trans stick. Made them work A little bit of tweaking But I ditched the new shinny stuff. TY all
 

rjrobin2002

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 13, 2007
Messages
2,947
Same here. Every swap I have (well 2 of them) were using stock dipstick and tube. I did have to remake the tab when I did it to a 351.
Stock doesn't leak
You mentioning the 351 needed a new mount saved my butt. I had a dipstick leak on my Explorer efi and explorer 4r70w I bolted on a 351 block.

I got to thinking about the 351 being a taller block and unbolted the explorer dipstick from the head and it allowed the stock explorer dipstick to drop about 1" and seat properly in the trans.

Leak fixed.
 

lars

Contributor
Been here awhile
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
3,333
Loc.
NorCal flatlands
Adding to the noise... I'm using a modified Ford Explorer dipstick and tube. The stock o-ring is a proprietary Ford part that's *almost* the same size as off the shelf o-rings, but isn't. I tried cheaping out but eventually bought an OEM Ford part somewhere. i'm running a 351W so I had to do some creative bending and make a new clamp that holds the dipstick to the right cylinder head, but after some creative language and a little RTV on said o-ring because I didn't want to do the job again, no leaks.
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,066
You mentioning the 351 needed a new mount saved my butt. I had a dipstick leak on my Explorer efi and explorer 4r70w I bolted on a 351 block.

I got to thinking about the 351 being a taller block and unbolted the explorer dipstick from the head and it allowed the stock explorer dipstick to drop about 1" and seat properly in the trans.

Leak fixed.
I made a tab off the bellhousing bolt. That way the tube would work with any deck height block and could be left in place if I ever needed to pull the heads with the engine in the truck.
 
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