Community Forums

jcgribks · 05-11-2015, 08:53 AM

While removing the heads from my 96 P30 w/454 I found that my one piece dipstick tube was cracked. I called my Chevrolet dealer and was told that the part was discontinued. I've checked and found the p/n of the later 2 piece tube but it's discontinued too. Does anyone know where I can get a dipstick tube that will work or how to repair the one I have? I even thought about just getting a shorter one that I could reach in through the wheel opening and check it. I was also wondering if one for a later 8.1 might work but I'd hate to buy one and the tubes where they insert into the engine are different.

HoneyBadger · 05-11-2015, 08:57 AM

Clean it well and use JB Weld with a bit of fiberglass tape over the crack. Its not structural or under pressure so any fix that keeps it from falling apart should be sufficient.

ga traveler · 05-11-2015, 09:04 AM

Go online and find a RV junkyard. We ordered air cleaner housings, Oil Fill tubes. and oil dipsticks. The price is right and we had good luck with them.

jcgribks · 05-11-2015, 10:14 AM

I should have also said that the tube was kinked and it's right at the kink that it is cracked. It probably happened 5 yrs ago when we bought the motorhome and the dealer said that they had to put in a new exhaust gasket. When I tried to remove it it got even more kinked to the point that I don't know if I can repair it.

tomwalt · 05-11-2015, 12:14 PM

Can you get to it to:
- cut out the section that is kinked (using a pipe cutter, not hack saw),
- then add a small piece of same diameter pipe (brake line?)
- outside that could be rubber tubing whose ID=tube OD outside to seal it up?
Couple hose clamps would keep it together and you could put a piece of metal (finishing nail) in the hose clamps to stiffen it up if needed.

jcgribks · 05-12-2015, 08:26 AM

It's kinked and cracked right where it passes through between the exhaust manifold and the head. Don't know if there's room to have another piece of tubing on top around mine and I differently can't add some rubber tubing to seal it up. It would just get melted the 1st time I fired it up.

From looking online at different years of P30's, GM changed to a 2 piece dipstick tube in 1997 I think. I'm going to try and get that setup or I'm just going to get a short tube from a truck and I'll just have to reach in on top of the wheel to check the oil.

jsides · 05-22-2015, 06:55 AM

You should be able to get one on line from a speed shop it will be a little shorter than original but it will be at least one piece where it goes between manifold and head. Then add a piece on the end to bring it to original length.