5.9 Magnum dipstick

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Rockerdude

Rock n' Roll and A-bodies
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Curious what dipstick/tube people have used when swapping a 5.9 Magnum in their cars. I'm using a 360 center sump pan and a 340 style windage tray.
 
I've done it two ways:
1.) Swap to an LA passenger car tube and stick.
2.) Use the Magnum stick, but trim the length and re-mark the levels. Don't forget to put a half-twist on the end of the stick.
The LA stick & tube works nice on a bare-bones engine, the Magnum tube is way too long on a bare engine, looks odd and just gets in the way.
I have kept the Magnum tube when retaining the serpentine drive and bracketry so it clears everything, but you still have to trim & re-mark the stick to fit the new pan.
 
Im using the stock serpentine belt setup also, do you know if a trimmed Magnum style dipstick will clear the windage tray?
 
Im using the stock serpentine belt setup also, do you know if a trimmed Magnum style dipstick will clear the windage tray?
Yep, enters the block in the same location as stock LA, just make sure you round the tip and give it a bit of a twist like it had from the factory.
The LA tube projects approx. 11" from the block, and the stick is 21+ and goes about 9" into the (center sump)pan. That 9" is what you're aiming for. The magnum tube is about 16" out of the block and the stick is 35+" long, so to get that 9" into the pan you'd have to trim about 9" off the Magnum dipstick, taper and twist the end. Measurements are approximate, confirm yours before you cut.
To make the marks, add 4 quarts of oil and insert the stick- note the level and mark the stick accordingly, scribe or lightly file new marks using your oil level as your midpoint. Note that the fifth quart of oil is added later- it will be taken up by the filter and system and should not be considered when marking your pan capacity (stock LA pass. car pan).
I have seen even stock dipsticks interfere with the factory windage tray a bit, just test fit the stick a couple times before you button up the bottom end. A "touch" of clearancing on the tray wouldn't be unheard of. If it's an aftermarket tray/screen (non Chrysler/DC) I've heard of issues- clearance as needed.
 
Yep, enters the block in the same location as stock LA, just make sure you round the tip and give it a bit of a twist like it had from the factory.
The LA tube projects approx. 11" from the block, and the stick is 21+ and goes about 9" into the (center sump)pan. That 9" is what you're aiming for. The magnum tube is about 16" out of the block and the stick is 35+" long, so to get that 9" into the pan you'd have to trim about 9" off the Magnum dipstick, taper and twist the end. Measurements are approximate, confirm yours before you cut.
To make the marks, add 4 quarts of oil and insert the stick- note the level and mark the stick accordingly, scribe or lightly file new marks using your oil level as your midpoint. Note that the fifth quart of oil is added later- it will be taken up by the filter and system and should not be considered when marking your pan capacity (stock LA pass. car pan).
I have seen even stock dipsticks interfere with the factory windage tray a bit, just test fit the stick a couple times before you button up the bottom end. A "touch" of clearancing on the tray wouldn't be unheard of. If it's an aftermarket tray/screen (non Chrysler/DC) I've heard of issues- clearance as needed.

Thanks for your help!
 
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