Newbie Question -- Broke off dipstick

[Takt]

Hi fellas --

While working on my '66, I needed to get the water pump off. I pulled the alternator off, went to move it out of the way, and snapped the dipstick off at the bottom -- flush. I can't get it the small piece out. I've tried to tap it and just pull it out with a small hook, but neither worked.

So I have two questions: 1. I have a small plug in it right now (literally a cork) how bad of an idea is that? 2. Do I have to drop the oil pan to get this out?

The motor is a '70 302.

Thanks for the help

 

[mustang70]

The dipstick just pushes into the cover. If it's been in there a while it might be stubborn. You may have to take the timing chain cover off and tap the piece out from the bottom. It's not bad to have the cork in the cover. You just don't have an easy way to keep an eye on your oil level.

Edit: Just wanted to mention that the dipsticks for the 70 pushi n from the top. I'm not sure if the 66 timing cover is different. Since I'm not sure if you used the 66 or 70 cover.

 

[Gellpak]

They push in from the top... I did the exact same thing myself a month or two ago, and not only that, I broke off the tap in there too. Ended up pushing it out from behind.

 

[Takt]

So looks like I have to drop the oil pan and come up from the bottom? Dang, I was trying to get away from that. Thanks guys

 

[mustang70]

You could just take the timing cover off. Since you have the pump off you're more then halfway there.

 

[reenmachine]

I'd take the timing cover off, put it in a vise, and drill out the remnants of the tube. Factory press fit + decades of decay + paint can equal seriously stuck tube.

I'd be really wary of trying anything too radical from the top with the cover and oil pan in place. The last thing you want to do is end up with metal debris in your oil pan.