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Blacktop Dipstick
Plunky - 23/4/14 at 10:52 AM

Hi,

recently bought a Blacktop engine with what looks like an early Retroford rwd sump fitted, however, it has not come with a dipstick and tube.

does anyone know what I can use instead? could I fit a standard dipstick and tube?

I don't want to get it wrong and end up putting too much or too little oil in it!

Picture below of the sump.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z199/plunky999/1223CF8A-1F7D-4F3D-B785-CFE683D3BDFD-6759-000009FF3ED4078A_zps3c8bb85e.jpg

Thanks
Liam

theprisioner - 23/4/14 at 11:36 AM

I don't know much about that particular configuration, it looks custom to me.


However the Ford Puma/Fiesta dip stick from the 1990's looks as if it might be of some help. It has a long metal tube with a seal on the end. I guess you could mate the two (tube and sump) with a modicum of ingenuity. The calibration is easy, empty the sump then fill with exactly the correct amount of oil which will leave a mark which you identify with a file. I had to do this on my J15 cos when I straightened the original dib stick tube the marks were in the wrong place. I then had to add 30mm on to the original puma tube by silver soldering a bit of fuel pipe on.

AndyW - 23/4/14 at 03:36 PM

on my blacktop the dipstick tube is on the other side (exhaust side). As said, looks a custom job so not sure what tube will fit.

Plunky - 28/4/14 at 03:26 PM

right... the opening for the dipstick tube in the sump is 13mm in diameter.

Does anyone know of anything off the shelf that may work?

Paul Turner - 28/4/14 at 03:33 PM

All Zetecs have a hole cast into the block under the exhaust manifold that takes the dipstick. Why don't you buy a standard Ford dipstick and use that then block off the tube in your sump.

theprisioner - 28/4/14 at 04:46 PM

Find a dipstick that will do the job length wise, forget the fabrication issues for now just get one that is less than 13mm. Note the sizes and I will make you an adapter in aluminium. If that does not appeal someone closer to you with a lathe I am sure will do the same.

Plunky - 6/5/14 at 09:06 AM

Could I not block off the hole on the sump and just use the standard dipstick?

Paul Turner - 6/5/14 at 10:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Plunky
Could I not block off the hole on the sump and just use the standard dipstick?


I suggested that you did that in my last post.

quote:
Originally posted by paul turner
All Zetecs have a hole cast into the block under the exhaust manifold that takes the dipstick. Why don't you buy a standard Ford dipstick and use that then block off the tube in your sump

Plunky - 6/5/14 at 11:13 AM

sorry mate, I mis-read that!

I will probably end up doing that! a lot easier than trying to make something custom up