4.3 Vortec Upgrade

[mr2nr151]

So I'm upgrading my 93 4.3 to a ATK Crate VORTEC4 .3. The biggest problem Im facing is the stock oil dipstick won't fit in between the manifold and valve covers. I seen someone had did this swap 7 years ago and that's helped me up until this issue. Anyone have any tips?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Mine's routed out the front of the motor beneath the manifold. (note, old picture. I externalized the hand pump as it isn't legal in the bilge)

 

[mr2nr151]

So did you cut the tube and the dipstick?

 

[Scott Danforth]

bend the dipstic tube a bit until it clears

 

[nola mike]

Mine's routed the same way. Trimmed the dipstick tube, dipstick itself doesn't need cut. You can't suck the oil from the tube after that, but can check the level. I installed a remote filter kit and a drain tube that can be routed through the bilge and out the transom drain. Makes life so much easier in my narrow bilge...

 

[Rick Stephens]

So did you cut the tube and the dipstick?

Bent to fit.

 

[Paintman1960]

Mine's routed the same way. Trimmed the dipstick tube, dipstick itself doesn't need cut. You can't suck the oil from the tube after that, but can check the level. I installed a remote filter kit and a drain tube that can be routed through the bilge and out the transom drain. Makes life so much easier in my narrow bilge...

I did the same thing, much better !

 

[MichaelBC]

I would like to ask a question becasue I do not understand this point. If you cut the dipstick tube then the dipstick itself will go in deeper. So for my understanding if you cut something of the tube then you have to cut exactly the same lenght from the dipstick to make it show the correct level. At least I did that when I cut my hose and so I am interested if this was wrong.

 

[nola mike]

I would like to ask a question becasue I do not understand this point. If you cut the dipstick tube then the dipstick itself will go in deeper. So for my understanding if you cut something of the tube then you have to cut exactly the same lenght from the dipstick to make it show the correct level. At least I did that when I cut my hose and so I am interested if this was wrong.

The tube is longer than the dipstick. You're just cutting the bottom part of the tube off

 

[MichaelBC]

Thank you for your explanation. This works of course, even I do not get the sense of it.

 

[Rick Stephens]

WHat is being referenced is hooking suction to the dipstick tube and pulling your oil out instead of draining.

I use a vacuum oil suction unit that drops a smaller tube down through the dipstick housing. Takes longer to get all the oil out but does get it all.

 

[mr2nr151]

Got it done. Ya they design the dipstick tube to go to the bottom of the pan so it can be used as a way to suck the oil. It's really a cheap design when you are much better off using a valve on the plug and running a tube out of the boats drain plug. You leave more oil when sucking and it leaves more debris in your motor.