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

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

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

problem solved
 

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

$1.08 per foot x two feet

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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

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