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  #1  
Old 06-22-2010, 03:43 PM
prkaye prkaye is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Default oil dipstick calibration

My oil dipstick came with no markings on it. I was told by Aerosport that this is the way they come - they are supposed to be manually calibrated by adding oil 2 quarts at a time and marking the dipstick each time.
Unfortunately I've already added full oil to the engine, so I'll have to wait for my first oil change to do the lower markings.
Question - how on earth do I mark the dipstick? On production airplanes I've seen the dipsticks with the tiny markings engraved on the stick... I don't have the equipment to do that sort of engraving...
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  #2  
Old 06-22-2010, 03:56 PM
yakdriver yakdriver is offline
 
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Location: Twin Falls, ID
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Just use a file for the marks. If you have a dental lab near you they could engrave the numbers with a bur. Don
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  #3  
Old 06-22-2010, 04:40 PM
asav8tor asav8tor is offline
 
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http://www.harborfreight.com/36-piec...g-set-800.html



plus this item



http://www.harborfreight.com/16-oz-b...mer-39616.html
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  #4  
Old 06-22-2010, 04:58 PM
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Jeff Vaughan Jeff Vaughan is offline
 
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Default Marking Dip Stick

I used my tubing cutter to mark 4, 6, and 8 qt lines.
I just very lightly scored the stick. Simple and Low Cost
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  #5  
Old 06-22-2010, 07:07 PM
aerhed aerhed is offline
 
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Tubing cutter... Brilliant!
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  #6  
Old 06-22-2010, 10:54 PM
yakdriver yakdriver is offline
 
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I agree Jeff, that is brilliant. Don
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  #7  
Old 06-23-2010, 09:16 AM
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walter walter is offline
 
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Stamped numbers are easier to read than a score mark.
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  #8  
Old 06-23-2010, 09:29 AM
aerhed aerhed is offline
 
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In a 4 cyl lyc you only need 4 marks (2,4,6 & 8). Pretty easy even without numbers, but if anyone knows how to mark a nice numeral on a round stick without whacking the **** out of your stamp, let me know. I've tried engravers, but I can't do it. I Just scrawl.
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  #9  
Old 06-23-2010, 09:33 AM
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fl-mike fl-mike is offline
 
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I filed a flat into the rod at each level and then stamped the number in the flat. Works well because the oil hangs in the flat and new oil is hard to see.

However...I didn't factor in the oil that is trapped in the filter when I did the fill-and-mark routine, so my marks are all a bit high.
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  #10  
Old 06-23-2010, 09:38 AM
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Bill Wightman Bill Wightman is offline
 
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Location: OKC, OK
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Default Oil in filter included?

Does the number on the stick include any oil that might be trapped elsewhere in the system (like in the filter, etc)? I'd assume it does.... (?) Or should it only indicate what's actually in the sump?

This dipstick needs to know, since its time to mark mine.
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