Broken dipstick tube

[jon]

My 76 '02 oil dipstick tube broke off at the block with the broken piece still pressed into the block.  

 

One idea is to press a copper tube into the block opening sticking out an inch or so and push the broken tube over the copper tube.

 

Please let me know any fixes that would work.  Thanks, Ron

[Buckeye]

Dipstick guide tube for 76 engine block should consist of items 4 - 7. Could you confirm or picture of yours?

I would've remove remnants of item 7 and would press a new one id it was me.

[Chris_B]

You might want to remove the piece in the block with a cold chisel. Probably the least offensive way to do that, WRT metal shavings and the like. Run your motor until warm, stuff a piece of microfiber in the hole before you chisel and then drain the oil when done. Or, do your copper pipe thing, if you can find one that fits. Can't hurt- even if it is a bit loose, you could seal it with an appropriate (oil resistant/proof) sealant. There isn't much pressure there so that should work. 

 

I had a problem with my dipstick tube being too loose in the hole to seal properly, so I used Permatex ultra black RTV gasket maker, and that has been holding for a year now. 

[jon]

Buckeye & Chris, the tube is #3 with the broken piece still press fitted into the block.  

 

Don't think any metal pieces broke off into the block.  Oil was seeping around where the tube met the block for the past four months, thus the tube was already cracked before it broke.

 

If I could get a new tube, I would have someone with proper tools remove the broken piece out of the block.  Otherwise, I will give the smaller ID copper tube a try.

 

My Teflon plug seems to be tight and the car burns little or no oil.  Ron

[Chris_B]

6 minutes ago, jon said:

Don't think any metal pieces broke off into the block. 

 

Jon, I am confused by what you are saying. You first said " My 76 '02 oil dipstick tube broke off at the block." Are you referring to metal shards falling into the oil pan, or am I not understanding what you are saying?

[jon]

Chris, the part of the tube pressed into the block is still pressed into the block, I don't think any of it fell into the block/oil pan.  Ron

[Chris_B]

So, my original suggestion stands. I think your idea of fitting a copper tube is good. Like I said, you may need to use an appropriate sealant if you can't find the perfect size copper pipe to keep oil from seeping out.

[Mike Self]

One more suggestion:  find a tap that's a tight fit into the broken piece of tubing, and carefully turn it with a tap wrench until it's cut several threads.  Stuff some heavy grease down the tube first to catch any shavings before they can fall into the sump. Turning the tap may in of itself start the tube turning in its bore, and you can apply lifting pressure and pull it out. 

 

Otherwise, get the tap in a half dozen turns and then start pulling.  It should come out with the tube attached.  

 

mike

[jon]

Fixed as follows:  3/8 brass tube fitted inside broken tube in block and in the dipstick guide tube.  JB weld surrounds interface of block and guide tube.