Two Questions: Dipstick Tube Seal, and Starter +Lead...

[707kevin]

Two quickies:
1975 1800

I've pulled the intake manifold to replace the gasket, mount a new carb, and get my coolant passages flowing to the choke again. During this opportunity I'm checking a few hard to get items. This side of the motor is really (REALLY!) oily.

1) The dipstick tube enters the block, but does not have any sort of seal there. What should I use here? this part is already in place: http://www.fiatplus.com/OIL-DIP-STICK-C ... N-NUT.html
But the tube just pulls out. (and oil leaks from it)

Change of subject

2) The starter main +12v stud feels stripped internally. Is this replaceable by opening up the solenoid and putting in a new stud? Or am I hosed?

Thanks for looking,
kevin

[124JOE]

i used teflon tape on the tube
and the silinoid is cheap like 15 bucks, just replace it

[vandor]

A '75 should not have that nut you linked to, that came in mid-77. On a '75 the dipstick went straight into the block, and had this rubber seal on it:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/LU4-4 ... tick-Seal/

If you can find a dead starter to rob parts from, then yes, you can replace that stud, assuming the solenoid can be taken apart.
I've seen some that could, and osme that were crimped together.

[707kevin]

Thanks guys, I found a new solenoid for about 30 locally.

Vandor, that seal is for the top of the dipstick, not the block side, right?
I need the lower section figured out.

[vandor]

Yes, it is for the top of the dipstick, originally on a '75 the dipstick just went straight into the block. If you have a dipstick tube then you have an engine that was made after mid '77.
There was no seal at the bottom of that style dipstick tube, the nut fit on it tight and it just screwed into the block.

[johndemar]

I actually have the same issue with the dip stick tube being loose to the block.
It also has the compression nut connecting it to the block and the engine is the original one in my 76.

I may take it apart and see if I somehow did not seat it completely the last time I had it out or if a little silicone will do the trick.

I'll be interested in what solution that works for you.

[RRoller123]

It is interesting that my '80 FI has a very loose fitting where the oil dipstick guide tube meets the block, but it doesn't leak. I had to spin it 90 CCW to get the Computronics in the block position, and it pulls out with almost no effort. But it doesn't leak. One of the few places that doesn't.

[gandyrail]

My 81 FI has a rubber seal that sets flat on block and wraps around the dip stick tube ... which goes into the hole in block. I have not seen a replacement part. It has o ring at top

[ORFORD2004]

I have not seen a replacement part

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/LU4-4 ... l-1979-85/

[RRoller123]

Yep, that is it!

[blazingspider]

I fought that same oil leak where the dipstick tube enters the block for a loooong time. My 77 has the "compression" nut threaded into the block but the dipstick tube just slips into it no matter how tight the nut is. I tried various types of RTV all to no avail.

The fix for me was to re-route my breather hose. I had put an aftermarket air cleaner on my carb. The nipple for the breather hose on the air cleaner was a 90 degree piece of pvc and my hose had quite a bend in it to reach the nipple. I removed the 90 degree nipple, fabbed up something from pvc parts that was a straight shot into the air cleaner which allowed me to straighten the hose out.

Now that leak at the bottom of the dipstick tube is gone!! In my case there was just enough of a restriction from the bends in the hose and the nipple that the pressure in the block found another way to vent!

You may want to check out your oil vapor separator as well. I hear that if they get really clogged up they will also force oil out as the pressure finds another way to vent.