8BA Dip Stick Length and Oil Level

[Steve in Denver]

I know the question has been asked before and I have lookedat numerous postings, all of which seem to disagree.
Sooo, I have, I think an 8BA motor, I think it is a truckengine as it has truck water pumps on the front of the block. It does have aseparate bell housing, which happens to be orange. I also understand the oilpan may not be original to the motor, the oil pan is 8 inches from the bottom ofthe motor to the bottom of the pan.

The dip stick is the short one at around 14 inches. The dipstick tube is 8 inches from the motor to the top of the stick. I just changedthe oil and took 4 quarts out of it. Oh, I have also since added the externaloil filter that bolts to the heads, so 5 quarts.

I borrowed a hand full of dip sticks from a fellowflatheader. I tried inserting the 16 inch dip sticks and they seem to hit thebottom of the pan, anyway, they will not go in all the way.

If the short dip stick I have is correct, with 4 quarts inthe pan, it looks like I am 1 ½ to 2 quarts low.

So, two questions, which is the right dip stick and how muchoil does the 8BA take, if that is what I have? Will it hurt anything, or run out on the ground, if I add another quart and a half?

[RalphG]

Pretty sure the 49 Merc truck in my yard has the original engine and I could measure the dipstick on that if its any help to you. I can't comment on the oil capacity as I have yet to drain and refill this engine. It is the 8BA truck engine.

[Steve in Denver]

Ralph,
Thanks, that would be a great start. A close-up picture of the end next to the tape measure would be appreciated as well.
Steve

[WABOOM]

My stock 51 Mercury 8CM took 5.5 quarts. May nor helpful but I figured I'd throw that in for ya.

[Steve in Denver]

Every bit of info helps, that is half a quart more than I have in it now. How long is your dip stick, around 14 inches? How long is the tube, around 8 inches?

[19Fordy]

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That oil pan you have with the big clean out looks like a 1941 Ford truck oil pan.

You must read all of this. Mike Kubarth knows of what he speaks.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4642

Is it possible that when the dealers installed the oil filter the extra oil introduced into the engine by the filter was not registered on the original dip stick?

[tubman]

"19Fordy" - That's an 8BA type engine, so a 1941 truck pan would require heavy modification. It is more likely a regular 8RT pan.

[40cpe]

I have an 8CM with a truck oil pan. The dipstick measures 14 3/4" from end to where it seats on top of tube. The tube measures 8 3/4" from surface of boss to top of tube. It measures full with 5 quarts. I have a FL 1A filter. The stick has "8RT" above the full mark.

[Steve in Denver]

So that is 4 quarts in the pan and one in the filter. And at 14 3/4" length, sounds like your stick is an inch and a quarter longer than mine. And your Full is probably about 13 1/4 from the top of the Stop on the stick. Sounds like I need to find a stick like yours.
Thanks

[Steve in Denver]

So I just took one of the longer sticks that I have and held it at 14 3/4 and stuck it in the pan. At 4 quarts, the level shows at 1 inch on the stick.

[51 MERC-CT]

It's not just the length of the dip stick that is important but the length of the tube.
There are different sets for different engines.
If the stick you are trying to use is too short then it requires a shorter tube.
And vice versa, stick too long requires longer tube.
Remove the tube to determine the length of tube that would be needed to make any given length stick to work. In your case with 1" oil line showing, indicates that the tube needed for that stick should be appox 1-1/2" shorter.

[chap52]

Or, when you know the oil level is correct, pull out the dip stick and scribe or hack saw a mark, line or notch where the full level is on the stick and then you won't need to wonder if you have enough oil. That's only if you are not going for a show car. Just a thought, Chap

[rotorwrench]

All the different sticks for the different 8BA family of pans usually have the ID on the stick. If the wrong tube is in there then there could be a problem with that.


The oil filtration system is a bypass system. There is a bit of a standpipe inside the filter bowl but most of the oil still just drains back to the pan. If you have the correct stick it should read full after you run the engine till warm and let it cool down after a 5 quart oil change. The filter bowl should also be cleaned or it will fill up with sludge & sediment.

[Ol' Ron]

I like to use a late model dip stic in my engines. This allows the stick to be placed in a better location, especially with High compression heads. This can be done by using a 1/2" tubing threaded with fine threads and bent into a more convenient location and length. Then the new stick can be cut to length and calibrated. Just something to do.

[19Fordy]

Thanks tubman.

[Steve in Denver]

So would a 1950 truck flathead have a 4 or 5 quart pan, plus one in the filter?

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by Steve Kennedy

So would a 1950 truck flathead have a 4 or 5 quart pan, plus one in the filter?

5 qts. total including the filter.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Steve Kennedy

So would a 1950 truck flathead have a 4 or 5 quart pan, plus one in the filter?

Seems that if you add 1 qt. to make the 5 qt. capacity, the level as shown in your picture would be in the safe driving range where it should be.

[Steve in Denver]

So if I add another quart, that will make it 5 in the pan and one in the filter. Is that correct for a 1950 truck motor?

[tubman]

The dipsticks should be marked. Do you have one marked "8RT"? If not, what is it marked (8BA, 8CM, etc.)?