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Topic: Dipstick differences (Read 2751 times) previous topic - next topic

Dipstick differences

Reply #15
old thread here but its relative to a project i have going on.

My son has been driving his bird for a couple years now and he has paid attention to the dip stick as a reference for when he needs oil.

Litterally just yesterday i dumped in a 5qt container of 5w30 oil.

when i check the dip stick it shows oil all the way up to the "F" on full.
see earlier illustration of the dip stick in question.
or see below what i am talking about.

Further to my point is that its my belief he may have been running too low on oil espcially during which time the oil is in full curculation lowering the level even further.
If what i see is true, i belive we all need to check our readings carefully or decide if we all have the correct stick for measuring.

Dipstick differences

Reply #16
interestingy enough, my local dealer says..... for any repairs.............. the notes in his database say

"if customer has an existing E6 dipstick, replace with an E7"

Using an E7 dipstick causes you to run low oil.... so i have to wonder if the note in the ford records have this backwards.
however.... there must be a reason for the disp stick revision... perhaps so things would break more often and wear out quicker to increase sales...
i think not, because if there is an E6 labled dip stick, it must have been a one year deal only.

Dipstick differences

Reply #17
My 88 Thunderbird (built 09/87) has that E6 dipstick. My 91 Mark has the E7 dipstick. When I do an oil change on the Thunderbird and I put 5 quarts of oil in, start the engine and let it idle for two minutes, then shut the engine off and check the oil level after 15 minutes. It's right at the top of the scale. When I did the same thing in my Mark VII it was right around the F in Full. I stuck the Thunderbirds dipstick in the Mark and low and behold it was right at the top of the hash marks. I just scribbed a line under the F in Full on the Mark VIIs dipstick so I know where the full line is. Just do that and your problem is solved.

As for why the dip sticks are different I have no idea. Who cares. Just figure out where full really is and make a line. You son will then know where the oil level should be. If you look at the two sticks the top of the Full arrow line is right under the F in Full on the E7 stick. That's right where the hashmarks end on the E6 stick. That arrow might just be the add a quart area that the hash marks are on the E6 stick.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Dipstick differences

Reply #18
if my cars oil light flashes or lights up, I throw a quart or two in it. with 230k miles, it eats a bit over a tank.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Dipstick differences

Reply #19
Quote from: thunderjet302;420691
My 88 Thunderbird (built 09/87) has that E6 dipstick. My 91 Mark has the E7 dipstick. When I do an oil change on the Thunderbird and I put 5 quarts of oil in, start the engine and let it idle for two minutes, then shut the engine off and check the oil level after 15 minutes. It's right at the top of the scale. When I did the same thing in my Mark VII it was right around the F in Full. I stuck the Thunderbirds dipstick in the Mark and low and behold it was right at the top of the hash marks. I just scribbed a line under the F in Full on the Mark VIIs dipstick so I know where the full line is. Just do that and your problem is solved.

As for why the dip sticks are different I have no idea. Who cares. Just figure out where full really is and make a line. You son will then know where the oil level should be. If you look at the two sticks the top of the Full arrow line is right under the F in Full on the E7 stick. That's right where the hashmarks end on the E6 stick. That arrow might just be the add a quart area that the hash marks are on the E6 stick.


i understand what to do,, the who cares part is well... Me, i care, meaining i "wonder why", thats all.

Dipstick differences

Reply #20
I noticed the same thing years ago among the four V8 cars I have.  Also, one of my V6 dipsticks matched one of the V8 dipsticks.  I just decided to stick with the top line of the dipsticks with a longer hashed area.
"lol.. because not too many people care for that style of car"
[size=-2]Click on paw print \/[/size]


Dipstick differences

Reply #21
Quote from: jcassity;420709
i understand what to do,, the who cares part is well... Me, i care, meaining i "wonder why", thats all.


Perhaps Ford thought the later (E7) dipstick was less confusing?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.