rs89todd

wondering about my motor, its a 350 chevy i got out of a 3/4 1980 chev passenger side dipstick, its a 3970010 block, figured 4 bolt main, but when i pulled the suffix code it was chv which is a 1970 caprice motor 2 bolt 250 hp, but wouldnt that be a drivers side dipstick i see the hole.

I suppose my question would be, can i put a drivers side one back on? would i have to block anything? Mine got all %@#&ed on the dolly in the car when i had to tow it (all i could get) and has a slow leak.

any help appricated

Apeiron

3970010 must have a drivers side dipstick. No way it could have had one on the passenger side.

rs89todd

i know thats why im asking cause mine has one im really confused on it

rs89todd

i see the drivers side hole there but theres no evidence of oil that has came out of it im just wondering if the pans determine the side

Apeiron

Well nothing would surprise me along with that creative plumbing.

gwarren007

iTrader: (1)

The 3970010 block is a driver side dipstick block, and that handle reminds me of a G10 van I had once that the dipstick went into side of the pan, not the block itself.

TPI

rs89todd

ya i the dipstick off my buddys truck cause he broke mine, as for plumbing it works but i have since changed it, but i see i asked about my plumbing? so i remember why i dont use this site for advice anymore, but i know the block is a DRIVERS side dipstick block, it runs from the pan thats my question....

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

All the factory styles of dipstick tubes go into the block. Newer 1 pc RMS blocks have a very short boss near the oil pan rail cast into the block. Older ones have a boss set into the deck surface that goes all the way down. As long as the pan matches the block, you can go ahead and put a dipstick in the driver's side hole where it's supposed to be for that era block.But if it's just been left open to the elements and not sealed off, then I would be worried about crud and dirt and sludge and god knows what getting down in that hole and going straight into the oil, or clogging it up. If you put a tube in there you may end up pushing a bunch of junk into the engine oil that doesnt need to be there. The oil in the pan isn't pressurized, so it wont just spew out of the dipstick tube hole, even if it's a clear, straight shot (which it should be).

rs89todd

thank your infernal, and ya im wondering about for when i rebuild it as its dirty but i wanna get a bigger pan but had trouble finding one in the style i have without costing an arm and a leg. ill just put another stock one on, and during rebuilt set it up for drivers side. thanks

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

I have an oil pan from an old 305 that has the oil pan with the dipstick tube in the passenger side of it. Probably the same thing you have.

You can run into a slight problem (easily fixed) when using the stock camaro exhaust manifolds with a driver's side dipstick. But since you have headers, the driver's side dipstick should work without issue.

If the drivers side dipstick hole in the block is properly capped, then just use the pan you have now with the passenger side dipstick.