1993 mercruiser 4.3 v6 dipstick pipe pressfit

[dlogvine]

Just wondered how to put the dipstick pipe in the engine. I cleaned the ring and the hole in the block with the cleaning brush cloth(forgot how it is called), then oiled both and tried to pressfit it in. Does the ring have to go inside the block or it is the tying bolt that keeps this pipe in? I did not want to tap on the pipe with hammer or mallet, but looks to me like it is not sitting in tight and might leak oil when engine runs. Any words of wisdom?

 

[Bt Doctur]

the tube is pushed in by hand with a bit of RTV on the ringed area to seal it

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have a vice grip that i drilled thru the jaws to drive dupstick tubes in to the block. Clamt it on and hammer on vicegrip. I have also used a wrench in the past

 

[dlogvine]

Thank you Scott, Ill try to use the wrench to tap it in. Should I use the RTV sealant as well?

 

[dlogvine]

How hard does it have to be pressed in? I tried the vice grip and a wrench to tap the ring of the dipstick pipe in, but it does not look like it is locked inside of the block. Im afraid that when the engine will start running full speed, the oil will start leaking. How tight should the dipstick be sitting in the block?
Also, does a regular chevy 4.3 v6 dipstick fits mercruiser engine or they are different? Id think they should be identical

 

[Boisebiker]

While a regular GM dipstick will fit it is not a wise idea. A regular automotive dipstick only goes into the block a couple inches, the marine version goes to the bottom of the oil pan so you can extract the oil using the dipstick for oil changes. Also the bend of the dipstick tube is very different.
Also a little dab of RTV at the ring won't hurt anything. My experience is the dipstick tube is tight but a loose one is not bad with a little RTV and the clamp holding it in place.