351W Pan Dipstick Help

[davisjstone]

Pulling my hair out trying to find a dipstick that will work with my setup.

Base on my research, 1989 351W (E9AE-6015-AA-14)

The motor has a block dipstick location that’s been blocked off. Using what I believe is a the standard rear sump pan with a threaded dipstick provision.

I’m using stock manifolds.

Then issue: I’ve tried the lokar flexible dipstick (pn 5005) and a no name copy; both don’t work. The stock manifolds don’t allow enough room to route between the tubes as it would with headers. The dipstick needs to come up between the manifolds and the driver fender which increases the bend. I just can’t seem to make the routing work.

This bend/routing makes it impossible to re-insert the flexible dipstick, I think it catches on the lip of the fitting for the flexible dispstick as it enters the pan. The bend near the pan seems to be too severe.

The vendors all sell a 351w pan which comes with a dipstick, but nobody has a part number or will sell me just the dipstick.

Anybody have pictures and part numbers for a working solution?

 

[Broncobowsher]

When it comes to mixing and matching dipsticks, dipstick tubes, and even mounting locations. I give up.

What I did when I did a custom engine once. Figure where I wanted the oil level. That involved various factory dipsticks and measuring below the pain rail to try and get an idea where the level should be. I forgot what it is, notes went with the vehicle when I sold it. You are on your own.
Next is get a dipstick about the length you want to use. The some matching size metal fuel line, trim to length so the dipstick is on the right place, now you have something that works.

 

[DirtDonk]

Probably the only way to get a separate dipstick from one of those kits, is to find one with a damaged pan that they’re trying to get rid of.
I don’t know if this is the same for every company, but when we buy oil pan kits, they come pre-boxed with pan, pickup, and dipstick.
We’ve never bought them separately and put them together ourselves that I know of.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a factory dipstick that came up inside the manifold. Well, I have a vague memory of such, but can’t remember what engine/application it was.
The factory Bronco pan on the passenger side was outside of the manifold. Most of the factory dipsticks on the driver side come out at a gentle enough curve way out past the manifold and up to the front so as not to be an issue.
As you found, not so easy in a bronco.

I wonder if there’s a way to smooth that transition somehow? Or maybe make the tip of the stick round and more compliant with the edge that you say it might be catching on.

 

[davisjstone]

Probably the only way to get a separate dipstick from one of those kits, is to find one with a damaged pan that they’re trying to get rid of.
I don’t know if this is the same for every company, but when we buy oil pan kits, they come pre-boxed with pan, pickup, and dipstick.
We’ve never bought them separately and put them together ourselves that I know of.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a factory dipstick that came up inside the manifold. Well, I have a vague memory of such, but can’t remember what engine/application it was.
The factory Bronco pan on the passenger side was outside of the manifold. Most of the factory dipsticks on the driver side come out at a gentle enough curve way out past the manifold and up to the front so as not to be an issue.
As you found, not so easy in a bronco.

I wonder if there’s a way to smooth that transition somehow? Or maybe make the tip of the stick round and more compliant with the edge that you say it might be catching on.

@DirtDonk I had the same idea about the lip on the fitting and ever so slightly drilled it out, while keeping the teflon liner in the braided line intact. Thought it would work, but it didn't. The tip of the actual stick is already slightly rounded and not much I can improve on. About every 20 attempts I can actually get to to fully insert, but thats not a practical solution.

 

[rocknhorse76]

@DirtDonk I had the same idea about the lip on the fitting and ever so slightly drilled it out, while keeping the teflon liner in the braided line intact. Thought it would work, but it didn't. The tip of the actual stick is already slightly rounded and not much I can improve on. About every 20 attempts I can actually get to to fully insert, but thats not a practical solution.

I have the Lokar dipstick as well and was having the same issue with getting it to go all the way in. What I found is that if you spin the dipstick between your fingers while inserting it, it will go right in.

 

[davisjstone]

Update: @rocknhorse76 - you were spot on. A bit embarrassed, but I circled back and I was able to to get the Lokar inserted with a spin or feathering. I swear I tried this, but with a more concerted effort and exaggerated spin, the dipstick is able to jump where the fitting and teflon liner meet and it slides in. Thanks!

 

[rocknhorse76]

Update: @rocknhorse76 - you were spot on. A bit embarrassed, but I circled back and I was able to to get the Lokar inserted with a spin or feathering. I swear I tried this, but with a more concerted effort and exaggerated spin, the dipstick is able to jump where the fitting and teflon liner meet and it slides in. Thanks!

Glad you got it figured out!