Oil dipstick Drivers side... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dwatts1984 · 11-15-2012, 08:11 AM

I have a 1985 GMC 1500
Far as I know is has a 5.7L 350 4 bolt main engine.
Recently swapped the 7004r for a turbo 350

Anyhow I bought this truck as a clunker. Paid $400 for it (running). As most of you know people have a tendency to swap the engines in and out of these trucks pretty regularly...

My question is, Ive been looking for an oil pan (gaskets leaking and need to do rear main, might as well replace the crummy steel pan with a nice new aluminum one) through Jegs, summit, and ebay. The problem I'm finding is that based on my year many model, and engine, its showing the oil dipstick on the "passenger" side, however mine is on the drivers side. Is this right? Do you think my engine was swapped previously? If so what years made the driver side dipstick?

Any information or knowledge would be appreciated. You guys haven't steered me wrong yet

88Jimmy4x4 · 11-15-2012, 08:21 AM

my 1976 has dipstick on pass side so look for that year, this also means a 2 piece rear main seal IIRC

TexasJeff · 11-15-2012, 08:23 AM

From what I have read on the internet the drivers side dipstick is a 1979 or older casting. 1980 is when the dipstick changed to the passenger side.

dwatts1984 · 11-15-2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

From what I have read on the internet the drivers side dipstick is a 1979 or older casting. 1980 is when the dipstick changed to the passenger side.

See thats what Ive been seeing. Based on the oil pans, it appears the 85 and up are passenger side... however Ive also seen 80-85 passenger side... then 79 and earlier drivers side...

Guess I'm just confused is all. Hate to order something thats not going to fit... then return it wait more time to get the correct one.

piecesparts · 11-15-2012, 08:39 AM

The year of the engine is the deciding factor for the dipstick. Many of the replacement engines that GM sold had an option for both sides for the dipstick. You just put the supplied plug in the hole that you did not use.

dwatts1984 · 11-15-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piecesparts

The year of the engine is the deciding factor for the dipstick. Many of the replacement engines that GM sold had an option for both sides for the dipstick. You just put the supplied plug in the hole that you did not use.

Where might I be able to find the "engine code" to verify the engines year. Thats kinda the dilemma now, is that Im pretty sure the motor was swapped... But i Know nothing about the engine thats here.

rfmaster · 11-15-2012, 11:54 AM

Sometime in its past original engine was swapped to a replacement mill with pre 1980 block. Starting 1980 dipstick tube was moved to passenger side. To confirm this look at block casting number and block cast date on the bell hosing flange area. With the engine in the truck it maybe very difficult (accessibility and covered in oily crud). Another area to look at is passenger side block deck surface - RPO designation, if still there, can shed a light.
//RF

1985-GMC · 11-15-2012, 03:45 PM

Usually truck blocks had them on the passenger side and car blocks had them on the driver side.

88Jimmy4x4 · 11-15-2012, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Usually truck blocks had them on the passenger side and car blocks had them on the driver side.

huh?

1985-GMC · 11-15-2012, 08:14 PM

Dipsticks dipstick

*C-10 simplex* · 11-15-2012, 09:03 PM

Is your concern is that the left side dipstick will interfere with the exhaust manifold?

dealrcn · 11-15-2012, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piecesparts

The year of the engine is the deciding factor for the dipstick. Many of the replacement engines that GM sold had an option for both sides for the dipstick. You just put the supplied plug in the hole that you did not use.

Frank is right. Your engine is more than likely a Gm crate engine swap. They had provisions for the dipstick to be on either side.
Posted via Mobile Device

88Jimmy4x4 · 11-15-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1985-gmc

dipsticks dipstick

lmfao

GM-power · 11-15-2012, 10:39 PM

I agree that gm crates offered dipstick provisions on both sides. Remember to " think with your dipstick jimmy"
Posted via Mobile Device

*C-10 simplex* · 11-21-2012, 08:40 PM

For anyone that gives a plop, dorman makes a repro pan with the stick going directly into the pan. This way you can pretty much run any SBC in any chassis with any exhaust manifolds:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-2022-264-118.aspx

The 78-(and 79?) malibus/elcaminos and i think monte carlos had this pan for emmission reasons i think?

You can clearly see in the picture that the stick goes directly into the pan.

11-15-2012, 08:11 AM	#1
dwatts1984 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Gulf Breeze florida Posts: 26	Oil dipstick Drivers side... I have a 1985 GMC 1500 Far as I know is has a 5.7L 350 4 bolt main engine. Recently swapped the 7004r for a turbo 350 Anyhow I bought this truck as a clunker. Paid $400 for it (running). As most of you know people have a tendency to swap the engines in and out of these trucks pretty regularly... My question is, Ive been looking for an oil pan (gaskets leaking and need to do rear main, might as well replace the crummy steel pan with a nice new aluminum one) through Jegs, summit, and ebay. The problem I'm finding is that based on my year many model, and engine, its showing the oil dipstick on the "passenger" side, however mine is on the drivers side. Is this right? Do you think my engine was swapped previously? If so what years made the driver side dipstick? Any information or knowledge would be appreciated. You guys haven't steered me wrong yet

11-15-2012, 08:21 AM	#2
88Jimmy4x4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: houston, texas Posts: 1,974	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... my 1976 has dipstick on pass side so look for that year, this also means a 2 piece rear main seal IIRC __________________ 2008 Silverado Z71 RCSB 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 1976 GMC Sierra C15 SWB

11-15-2012, 08:23 AM	#3
TexasJeff Don't Crush em Restore em Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pinehurst, Texas Posts: 764	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... From what I have read on the internet the drivers side dipstick is a 1979 or older casting. 1980 is when the dipstick changed to the passenger side. __________________ TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually

11-15-2012, 08:39 AM	#5
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... The year of the engine is the deciding factor for the dipstick. Many of the replacement engines that GM sold had an option for both sides for the dipstick. You just put the supplied plug in the hole that you did not use. __________________ Frank

11-15-2012, 11:54 AM	#7
rfmaster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: OC CA Posts: 1,374	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... Sometime in its past original engine was swapped to a replacement mill with pre 1980 block. Starting 1980 dipstick tube was moved to passenger side. To confirm this look at block casting number and block cast date on the bell hosing flange area. With the engine in the truck it maybe very difficult (accessibility and covered in oily crud). Another area to look at is passenger side block deck surface - RPO designation, if still there, can shed a light. //RF __________________ "The Beast" 1975 Chevrolet C20 longbed 350/700R4! with 3inch body lift Dual Flowmasters Super 40's! TBI retrofit completed (2007-07-29) New 383CID (+030) 08-304-8 9.5:1CR x36,005 (2012-12-17)

11-15-2012, 03:45 PM	#8
1985-GMC Chevy Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canyon Lake Texas Posts: 2,024	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... Usually truck blocks had them on the passenger side and car blocks had them on the driver side. __________________ Tony 1985 GMC K2500 restoration Project: Rust, White & Blue 1989 Chevy R3500 CC Cummins & 4X4 swap some day... 1989 Burb (D60, 14BFF, 12V, NV4500, NP205, 37" tires in progress)

11-15-2012, 08:14 PM	#10
1985-GMC Chevy Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canyon Lake Texas Posts: 2,024	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... Dipsticks dipstick __________________ Tony 1985 GMC K2500 restoration Project: Rust, White & Blue 1989 Chevy R3500 CC Cummins & 4X4 swap some day... 1989 Burb (D60, 14BFF, 12V, NV4500, NP205, 37" tires in progress)

11-15-2012, 09:03 PM	#11
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... Is your concern is that the left side dipstick will interfere with the exhaust manifold?

11-15-2012, 10:39 PM	#14
GM-power Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 770	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... I agree that gm crates offered dipstick provisions on both sides. Remember to " think with your dipstick jimmy" Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1979 Sierra Classic Heavy-half 1996 Silverado x-cab "the daily"

11-21-2012, 08:40 PM	#15
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: Oil dipstick Drivers side... For anyone that gives a plop, dorman makes a repro pan with the stick going directly into the pan. This way you can pretty much run any SBC in any chassis with any exhaust manifolds: http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-2022-264-118.aspx The 78-(and 79?) malibus/elcaminos and i think monte carlos had this pan for emmission reasons i think? You can clearly see in the picture that the stick goes directly into the pan.



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