The Ford Barn

zuburg · 10-22-2016, 10:47 PM

As some of you know from some of my earlier posts, I am replacing a 239 with a 292 in a 1956 Thunderbird. The new 292 block was from a car or truck so the oil dip stick tube hole was at the front of the block. I have plugged that hole and removed the plug in the hole in the middle of the block where the tube goes for the Tbird.

My problem is the tube does not go as deep on the new 292 block as it does on the 239. is it possible the hole on the 239 is larger than the one on the 292? is the only option to drill out the hole a little larger?

dmsfrr · 10-22-2016, 11:57 PM

Do you have a T-Bird correct dipstick and tube? It's not the same tube as the full-sized cars.
Did the 239 have the dipstick hole in front, or at the side of the block?

Here's a couple older photos of the pieces I have and how far it fits into the block, about 1 inch.
I'll include another photo of the whole tube tomorrow morning. (for comparison to the one you've got)

zuburg · 10-23-2016, 08:12 AM

The 239 did have the hole on the side (actually it seems that all Y-blocks have two holes, one on the side and one in the front and they just plug the one not used).

I do believe I have the right tube as it fit when the 239 was installed and the bracket near the top looks to be in the right place. I forget which bold secures the bracket, but it looks like it will be the middle bolt on the exhaust manifold. Is that correct?

dmsfrr · 10-23-2016, 01:32 PM

Dipstick hole on the side of a 239, and all the y-blocks...
Yes, because they were also used in the light trucks with a rear sump pan.
(I spaced out on that at midnite last nite

)
It just occured to me that the oil dipstick and it's tube could likely be the same in '55/'57 Birds, and light trucks thru '64. I obviously need more coffee.

The T-Bird style tube is 17 & 1/2 inches long. The one in the photos is a new replacement that matches the old one I had with a broken mounting tab. Yes it does fasten to the center mounting bolt hole of the exhaust manifold.

The cast hole in the block has a tapered hole machined into it. There might be a small lip about a quarter inch down, that the bottom end of the tube could catch on.
.

zuburg · 10-23-2016, 03:15 PM

Thanks. I did see that lip and at first thought it was some kind of sleeve that would have to be knocked out. Someone else described it as a counter bore. From your descriptions, it appears everything should be OK. I'll just have to fiddle with it and maybe lube it a little to see if I can get it to go in.

paul2748 · 10-24-2016, 08:38 PM

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If the tube is a replacement, they are not the best fitting I found out. A friend of mine bought it for his TBird and the end and the shape was all wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zuburg

Thanks. I did see that lip and at first thought it was some kind of sleeve that would have to be knocked out. Someone else described it as a counter bore. From your descriptions, it appears everything should be OK. I'll just have to fiddle with it and maybe lube it a little to see if I can get it to go in.

10-22-2016, 10:47 PM	#1
zuburg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 332	Oil dip stick tube on remanufactured 292 for 1956 Thunderbird As some of you know from some of my earlier posts, I am replacing a 239 with a 292 in a 1956 Thunderbird. The new 292 block was from a car or truck so the oil dip stick tube hole was at the front of the block. I have plugged that hole and removed the plug in the hole in the middle of the block where the tube goes for the Tbird. My problem is the tube does not go as deep on the new 292 block as it does on the 239. is it possible the hole on the 239 is larger than the one on the 292? is the only option to drill out the hole a little larger?

10-23-2016, 08:12 AM	#3
zuburg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 332	Re: Oil dip stick tube on remanufactured 292 for 1956 Thunderbird The 239 did have the hole on the side (actually it seems that all Y-blocks have two holes, one on the side and one in the front and they just plug the one not used). I do believe I have the right tube as it fit when the 239 was installed and the bracket near the top looks to be in the right place. I forget which bold secures the bracket, but it looks like it will be the middle bolt on the exhaust manifold. Is that correct?

10-23-2016, 03:15 PM	#5
zuburg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 332	Re: Oil dip stick tube on remanufactured 292 for 1956 Thunderbird Thanks. I did see that lip and at first thought it was some kind of sleeve that would have to be knocked out. Someone else described it as a counter bore. From your descriptions, it appears everything should be OK. I'll just have to fiddle with it and maybe lube it a little to see if I can get it to go in.