289-302 (roller) dipstick ????

randy66gt350 said:

I have a 66FB that I'm putting a late model 302 into (crate shortblock from Summit-It's a Ford service shortblock). I am building a Shelby clone w/ an original SN60 type blower, so I have to use the early timing cover w/ the dipstick in it. I discovered over the weekend that this block has a dipstick hole in the block...What should I use to plug this?

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ronstang took a similar diameter piece of steel rod, filed down the end into a partial point, then tapped it in the hole. on my current motor, it is just filled with copper RTV, since it is not under any pressure this works nicely as well

yah, I just crammed high temp RTV silicon in there too.

high temp silicon for me too... i've heard the best way is to cram a wood dole into the hole. when it gets wet with oil it will expand and make a total seal.

I must be the only redneck who used JB weld!

They actually sell a cup plug that was designed for this purpose. I think I got mine at NAPA.

I ran a starter tap in a as far as it would go without breaking it, then took a set screw, wrapped it with teflon tape, smeared it with sillycone and spun it in.

thehueypilot said:

They actually sell a cup plug that was designed for this purpose. I think I got mine at NAPA.

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wheres the fun in that?

TampaStang said:

I must be the only redneck who used JB weld!

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i used the RTV because if i ever went to a serpentine/efi setup I would need to use that hole again and didnt want it permanently messed up

thehueypilot said:

They actually sell a cup plug that was designed for this purpose.

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I got a bare roller block brand new about two years ago and it came with one already installed. I had to knock it out when I put in my '89, but I'll probably replace it when it goes into the '68.

I used a wood dowel and RTV

randy66gt350 said:

I have a 66FB that I'm putting a late model 302 into (crate shortblock from Summit-It's a Ford service shortblock). I am building a Shelby clone w/ an original SN60 type blower, so I have to use the early timing cover w/ the dipstick in it. I discovered over the weekend that this block has a dipstick hole in the block...What should I use to plug this?

Click to expand...

Hey, run two dipsticks.
Ha Ha

Roy.

Use the JB Weld or wooden dowel method if the engine is in the car. If the engine is on a stand, you can use a 3/8" drill bit to open that dipstick hole ever so slightly. Then, run a 7/16-14 tap through it and install a matching threaded plug. A short Allen-head bolt works well (smear some Permatex 1 or 2 on the threads). If the engine is ever used with the rear dipstick, the hole is still close enough in size that a blob of black RTV will seal it up.