broken dipstick tube

matt cook · 04-26-2002, 01:39 PM

last night, trying to fit up my headers, I broke the dipstick tube on my 82 GT.

It is different than the 83-93 mustangs with a 5.0, but I think that it goes in the same hole in the block.

I know that I can't find one in the local yard - anybody have a clue if one from another 5.0vehicle will work - like an 80's thunderbird, there are tons of those in the junkyard.

last try would be the FMS tube and dipstick assembly from Summit, but again, that is only listed for 83-93.

help, ford wants $30 just for the 82 dipstick tube...

thanks,
Matt

jerrys84 · 04-26-2002, 02:38 PM

why not just bring the tube into the local auto store and match one up, cut to length if need be, there you go..

matt cook · 04-26-2002, 02:57 PM

You mean match it up to just some 3/8" or whatever generic use tubing and cut it to work... I was just thinking of that...but you beat me to it.

that might just work...

thanks,
Matt

matt cook · 04-26-2002, 07:45 PM

3/8" OD copper tubing at Lowe's...

$1.08 per foot x two feet

Mach 1 · 04-26-2002, 07:59 PM

Just my opinion, but considering the importance of proper oil level readings, and the likeliness that a piece of copper tubing probably looks like crap, along with the fact that your car has the potential to spark "collectors interest" due to it being an 82 GT and the increased value that might go with that, I think I would come off the $30.00 for a new one.

To avoid this problem in the future, it helps to remove the tube when installing headers, then re-install the tube after the headers are installed.

Good luck

PKRWUD · 04-26-2002, 08:12 PM

Just go buy a chrome one that physically fits. Don't worry about how long it is. Once it's mounted, drain the oil. Install 4 quarts and a new filter, and run it for a few minutes. Then, let it sit for 10 minutes. Insert and remove the dipstick, and use a center punch to mark the dipstick where the oil ends. This is your new "low" oil mark. Add another quart, and mark the new oil level on the dipstick. This is your new "full" mark.

Take care,
-Chris

matt cook · 04-26-2002, 09:29 PM

the copper will be fine, I can spray it flat black like the one that was on there - it will look exactly the same.

I was going to measure the existing one, and cut this tubing to length - oil readings will still be accurate - probably within 1/32 of an inch.

Yes, I know that this car has collector value, but the dipstick is the least of my worries, it is also missing: (replaced with)

original heads (ported E7TE)
original rocker arms (crane 1.7)
original exhaust mainifolds (MAC equals)
original intake manifold (Edelbrock RPM)
original 2-barrel carb (Carter AFB)
original SROD transmission (T5)
original shifter (Hurst)
original front seats (95 GT)
original metric wheels (10 holes)
original single exhaust (duals out the sides)

I think that a collector would notice these things before the dipstick.

Yes, I know that I should have removed it, but I didn't as I was not actually installing them yet - just seeing what I needed to move - which is what I learned the hard way. It must have been previously weakened - because it just snapped.

This car is a play toy, and that is how I treat it. I am gonna enjoy it, screw the next owner...

all that having been said, Mach, Chris, and Jerrys84 - thanks for your replies - I really mean that, I'm just in a pissy mood tonight.

if this was a rant, I apologize...

take it easy,
Matt

matt cook · 04-26-2002, 09:30 PM

it does still have the original 'premium sound' tape deck...

matt cook · 04-27-2002, 06:48 AM

in the very first post, I neglected to mention one thing. This tube has no brackets, no complicated bends, no fittings, etc...

it was originally just a peice of tubing. That's why I'm okay just replacing it with a peice of tubing.

Mach 1 · 04-27-2002, 09:03 AM

I thought all the late model stangs had a bracket on the tube, that mounted to a exhaust manifold bolt?

Maybe thats why yours broke?

sn95gt19 · 04-27-2002, 12:44 PM

I WOULDNT JUST PUT TUBING IN THERE I THINK HE MEANT THAT YOU CAN JUST MATCH UP THE ACTUAL STICK AND CUT THAT TO WORK, FROM ONE THAT WAS LONGER, I WOULDNT RECOMMEND RIGGIN IT UP, IF IT POPS OUT YOUR GONNA HAVE A MESS

matt cook · 04-27-2002, 03:39 PM

this one never had a bracket - just a straight tube out of the block - thats what you get with 82 GT's - they were peiced together from leftover crap. really.

Ford didn't want anything lefover when they 'made' the Mustang front wheel drive in 1984 (with what eventually became the Probe)

that's right all you 5.0 guys have the humble 82 GT to thank for your cars. It's success made ford stick with the fox body.

The top engine in the 83 fox body was gonna be the 2.3 turbo. but that is history, back to the present time.

well, you all will be happy...

I dropped $6.99 today for a chrome universal 302 dipstick.

it has a bracket...

thanks,
Matt

04-26-2002, 01:39 PM	#1
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	broken dipstick tube last night, trying to fit up my headers, I broke the dipstick tube on my 82 GT. It is different than the 83-93 mustangs with a 5.0, but I think that it goes in the same hole in the block. I know that I can't find one in the local yard - anybody have a clue if one from another 5.0vehicle will work - like an 80's thunderbird, there are tons of those in the junkyard. last try would be the FMS tube and dipstick assembly from Summit, but again, that is only listed for 83-93. help, ford wants $30 just for the 82 dipstick tube... thanks, Matt __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

04-26-2002, 02:38 PM	#2
jerrys84 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: minnesota Posts: 129	why not just bring the tube into the local auto store and match one up, cut to length if need be, there you go.. __________________ 91 LX 'work in progress' previous stangs; lightly modded 84GT 81 2.3 converted to 302 auto

04-26-2002, 02:57 PM	#3
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	I was just thinking... You mean match it up to just some 3/8" or whatever generic use tubing and cut it to work... I was just thinking of that...but you beat me to it. that might just work... thanks, Matt __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

04-26-2002, 07:45 PM	#4
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	problem solved 3/8" OD copper tubing at Lowe's... $1.08 per foot x two feet __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

04-26-2002, 07:59 PM	#5
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Just my opinion, but considering the importance of proper oil level readings, and the likeliness that a piece of copper tubing probably looks like crap, along with the fact that your car has the potential to spark "collectors interest" due to it being an 82 GT and the increased value that might go with that, I think I would come off the $30.00 for a new one. To avoid this problem in the future, it helps to remove the tube when installing headers, then re-install the tube after the headers are installed. Good luck __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

04-26-2002, 08:12 PM	#6
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Just go buy a chrome one that physically fits. Don't worry about how long it is. Once it's mounted, drain the oil. Install 4 quarts and a new filter, and run it for a few minutes. Then, let it sit for 10 minutes. Insert and remove the dipstick, and use a center punch to mark the dipstick where the oil ends. This is your new "low" oil mark. Add another quart, and mark the new oil level on the dipstick. This is your new "full" mark. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

04-26-2002, 09:29 PM	#7
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	I don't get the difference... the copper will be fine, I can spray it flat black like the one that was on there - it will look exactly the same. I was going to measure the existing one, and cut this tubing to length - oil readings will still be accurate - probably within 1/32 of an inch. Yes, I know that this car has collector value, but the dipstick is the least of my worries, it is also missing: (replaced with) original heads (ported E7TE) original rocker arms (crane 1.7) original exhaust mainifolds (MAC equals) original intake manifold (Edelbrock RPM) original 2-barrel carb (Carter AFB) original SROD transmission (T5) original shifter (Hurst) original front seats (95 GT) original metric wheels (10 holes) original single exhaust (duals out the sides) I think that a collector would notice these things before the dipstick. Yes, I know that I should have removed it, but I didn't as I was not actually installing them yet - just seeing what I needed to move - which is what I learned the hard way. It must have been previously weakened - because it just snapped. This car is a play toy, and that is how I treat it. I am gonna enjoy it, screw the next owner... all that having been said, Mach, Chris, and Jerrys84 - thanks for your replies - I really mean that, I'm just in a pissy mood tonight. if this was a rant, I apologize... take it easy, Matt __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

04-26-2002, 09:30 PM	#8
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	it does still have the original 'premium sound' tape deck... __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

04-27-2002, 06:48 AM	#9
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	in the very first post, I neglected to mention one thing. This tube has no brackets, no complicated bends, no fittings, etc... it was originally just a peice of tubing. That's why I'm okay just replacing it with a peice of tubing. __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

04-27-2002, 09:03 AM	#10
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I thought all the late model stangs had a bracket on the tube, that mounted to a exhaust manifold bolt? Maybe thats why yours broke? __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

04-27-2002, 12:44 PM	#11
sn95gt19 motors done......woohooo Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 799	I WOULDNT JUST PUT TUBING IN THERE I THINK HE MEANT THAT YOU CAN JUST MATCH UP THE ACTUAL STICK AND CUT THAT TO WORK, FROM ONE THAT WAS LONGER, I WOULDNT RECOMMEND RIGGIN IT UP, IF IT POPS OUT YOUR GONNA HAVE A MESS

04-27-2002, 03:39 PM	#12
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	no bracket this one never had a bracket - just a straight tube out of the block - thats what you get with 82 GT's - they were peiced together from leftover crap. really. Ford didn't want anything lefover when they 'made' the Mustang front wheel drive in 1984 (with what eventually became the Probe) that's right all you 5.0 guys have the humble 82 GT to thank for your cars. It's success made ford stick with the fox body. The top engine in the 83 fox body was gonna be the 2.3 turbo. but that is history, back to the present time. well, you all will be happy... I dropped $6.99 today for a chrome universal 302 dipstick. it has a bracket... thanks, Matt __________________ 1982 Mustang GT

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Broken White tube???	Longball	Windsor Power	15	08-11-2003 08:29 PM
351w swap oil pan (dipstick length ???'s)	fiveliter8	Windsor Power	2	06-07-2002 08:51 AM
oil dipstick tube	DernChevyGuy	Small Ponies	0	03-23-2002 07:46 PM
Oilpan, dipstick tube leak...help!	chris91LX	Windsor Power	2	02-17-2001 01:26 AM
oil coming out of dipstick tube	j's69stang	Classic Mustangs	15	12-09-2000 09:02 PM