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Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:25 pm
by Spade
Checking the oil on the 1923 Fordor is not bad but isn't getting any easier at 77 years of age. I can't decide on the oil level modification I want. I had just about decided on the dip stick until I saw the new Mac's Catalog with the sight glass. But is the sight glass strong or will it break easily. What do you use?

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:41 pm
by Oldav8tor
I'm curious too...

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:46 pm
by Ruxstel24
I have an early sight glass in mine, with a brass housing.
Been in there a long time, don't know about the repops.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:05 pm
by SurfCityGene
I wouldn't be without my Sight Glass gauge!! I do have a short nipple so no vibration and check it often cause it's So Easy!1

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:36 pm
by Les Schubert
The dip stick on my 27 is handy

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:39 pm
by Steve Jelf
There are two problems with a sight glass that caused me to abandon mine. The actual problem was that it gave false readings. Sometimes in the dim light under the car it looked like it was full when it was actually empty. The potential problem is that if it's wrecked by some road hazard all your oil leaks out.
IMG_3793.JPG
I prefer clear tubing. Open the petcocks to get your level, then close them so you don't lose your oil if anything happens to the tubing.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 8:37 am
by CudaMan
I was lucky enough to find a petcock on Ebay that had pipe threads on both ends, so I bought it and a right angle adapter so that I can open the petcock to check the oil level, then close it for driving. Works great! :)

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:05 am
by MWalker
Even with a sight glass or similar device, you still have to look under the car to check your oil. The Texas T Parts dip stick, which is a copy of the period-correct "Acuret" product, solves that problem well. Their products are available at Birdhaven.

http://www.texastparts.com/mm5/merchant ... gory_Code=

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:23 am
by Allan
As Steve says, the sight glasses can give a false reading, and I have had one fall to pieces. The Ac-U-ret dipsticks work well, but it can be difficult to locate the hole in the splash apron to suit the tube. The pan hole angle and the thread angle and the bend in the fitting to the pan all contribute to variations of the angle of the pipe. They are very convenient. My 27 Tudor I imported from the USA has a modern dipstick under the hood. Ideal if you are not fussed with originality, but easily reversed if you want to. Your choice.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 10:19 am
by Rich Bingham
The only advantage to Steve's arrangement over leaving things stock, a few (more?) drops of oil won't hit the ground.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:07 pm
by George Mills
A sight glass requires a little bit of extra discipline that many are unaware of. Follow the discipline, 99% of false readings go away.

Before starting with a desire to check...

1- Close petcock on transmission
2- Open drain on sight glass and it should drain in a cup or cap lid. If it doesn’t, poke the hole at the sight glass bottom
3- close the lower drain, and open the petcock between the tranny and sightglass. You should see the oil rise in the tube.
4- close the petcock from the tranny if height looks Ok
5- drive

I’ve done this for years, never had one break, but nothing can run out either if you follow the discipline. By the way...if it doesn’t run out the lower drain, or it seems to stall and start on refilling the glass tube...there is or should be an itty bitty hole at the top of the sight glass that may have caked over 🦕

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:21 pm
by Steve Jelf
The only advantage to Steve's arrangement over leaving things stock, a few (more?) drops of oil won't hit the ground.

The stock arrangement tells you yes, there's oil above the bottom petcock, or no there isn't. Seeing the actual level between the petcocks gives you some idea how close you are to needing more. Is that helpful information? We report, you decide. :)

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:45 pm
by George N Lake Ozark
Dad put one of the early dipsticks on my T and it will give a false reading since the angle joint isn't exactly level, so it always has a few drops that don't drain completely into the sump. The dipstick markings aren't really accurate also. So when I drain oil I fill up to the top cock and let extra drain out and checked the level. Used a file and remarked so I wouldn't overfill. I suspect the newer ones are probably more accurate but I always double check it when I drain the old oil out.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 2:48 pm
by Rich Bingham
Steve, I have to concede that's helpful. I had a sight glass on mine, what with leakage and dirt, usually I couldn't see a thing. When your Model T finally gets thoroughly used to you, it's not hard to gauge the amount of oil above the lower cock by the stream that issues forth. If it runs kinda puny, add a quart ! All the straining over sight glass, visible tubes, dip-sticks et al is a complication of a dirt-simple solution already provided, as is the case with most all "improvements" and modifications. Thing is, owners have a lot of fun with all of them and they often serve not only to make using and driving a T easier or more pleasant, but they also personalize the car to the individual owner. Being kind of a dull stick, I like mine "as she wuz borned" for the most part, but I sure like to see the period accessories, and I'm amused and enlightened by all the imaginative tips and tricks.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 4:30 pm
by BobD
Ford T isn’t the only one to have that type of oil check arrangement. Dad’s 1949 International Farmall “C” had two valves on the side of the oil pan to check the level by drip. The major difference is one could stand while checking the oil. :)

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:31 pm
by Humblej
I had a couple of sight gages at one tme or another, an original accessory, and a repo, both leaked and didnt always give a reliable reading. Went back to the Ford configuration years ago. Checking oil level with a petcock is all part of the charm of a model t.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:43 pm
by modernbeat
If the reason for a change is to avoid dripping oil, then and answer is a sight gauge, or the hose on the two valves.

If the reason is to avoid crawling under the car, a dipstick of some sort is the answer.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:51 pm
by Jerry VanOoteghem
modernbeat wrote:
Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:43 pm
If the reason for a change is to avoid dripping oil, then and answer is a sight gauge, or the hose on the two valves.

If the reason is to avoid crawling under the car, a dipstick of some sort is the answer.
Yup. What he said...

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 7:04 pm
by Norman Kling
You can get down on your knee and near the right front tire, then reach under between the fender and tire with your left hand and turn the petcock. It is not necessary to crawl under to do this. Or you can, if you can fine one use a metal rod with a piece welded on the end to reach under and turn the petcock. In fact this tool has been in the past, been given out at large tours as a door prize. It wouldn't be too hard to make them and either sell or give them to members. Similar to giving the stick for measuring the gas.
Norm

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 8:27 pm
by Rich Bingham
Norm, I'd love to have one of those. I've been too lazy to make one, you can also reach in almost as easily with a big pair of pliers. The tool is the best !

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:59 pm
by Burger in Spokane
Youze guys need to see what the Antique Auto Ranch is coming out with ! A solidly
mounted tube and dipstick that reads all the way down to zero. It was developed for
Montana 500 racing, to run the minimal amount of oil and know exactly how much you
have in there. I bought mine a couple weeks ago and will install it when I reseal the
hogshead.

I love the period nature of the sight glass. Mine was on the truck when I got it. It
worked well. When I broke the engine down to rebuild, I put the sight glass on my work
bench. When it was time to reinstall, I discovered the glass had fractured while off the
truck. This concerns me. If it broke out on the road, I could lose a lot of oil and burn
the engine up. But they look really cool there on the engine !

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 3:36 am
by Steve Jelf
Whether you use the tube or go stock, you don't have to crawl under the car.

IMG_1002 copy.JPG

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:20 am
by Original Smith
I've been using the oil checker rod similar to what Steve posted in all my cars. No brainer.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 10:32 am
by John Codman
Once that I established that my '27 doesn't burn oil, and that engine oil leakage is minimal, when I change the oil I install four quarts and forgeddabout it until I decide to change the oil again. Over six years of crawling under the car to check it - and it's always full - engine oil is not something that I worry about.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 11:35 am
by Humblej
here is my oil level checker
oil checker.jpg

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:38 pm
by modernbeat
Burger in Spokane wrote:
Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:59 pm
Youze guys need to see what the Antique Auto Ranch is coming out with ! A solidly
mounted tube and dipstick that reads all the way down to zero...
Any pics? I'd like to see what they are doing.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2019 3:43 pm
by Norman Kling
The problem with what John says is similar to what happened to my coolant. I checked and brought to proper level Friday. Saturday I loaded it onto the trailer and drove all day then Sunday morning started out on the tour. The car overheated and I was in the Arizona desert. I was two gallons low after it stopped boiling and I filled it. I looked at the usual places to find leaks, hoses radiator freeze plugs etc. Didn't find leak. When I was at a gas station I noticed some water under the back of the engine but thought it was probably left by someone else. Anyway, it turned out to be around the back of the head behind the exhaust manifold in the corner by the weep hole. It had been seeping out and caused rust at that area. Had the head resurfaced and new gasket. No more leaks.
The point I am getting to is when I checked it two days before I drove it, it was full. But when I didn't expect it the leak occured. The same is known to happen with oil. It usually doesn't use any oil so keep driving until the next oil change. Some day, it will unexpectedly start using oil or leaking and then you will be surprised when it starts knocking! Good idea to check every day before you start out for the day just to be sure. That applies to both oil and coolant.
Norm

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:59 am
by Burger in Spokane
modernbeat wrote:
Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:38 pm
Burger in Spokane wrote:
Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:59 pm
Youze guys need to see what the Antique Auto Ranch is coming out with ! A solidly
mounted tube and dipstick that reads all the way down to zero...
Any pics? I'd like to see what they are doing.
========================================

Ask, and ye shall receive ....

I have been watching this be developed over the last year, with various ideas tried
and refined. They finally went into production recently and I got one for my truck.
The idea is that the base piece replaces the oil pan drain plug. This allows a reading
of ALL the oil, not just what is above the lower petcock. A centered drain plug in the
Antique Auto Ranch unit allows normal oil changes without messing with the dipstick
tube assembly. The stiffener/stabilizer bracket midpoint up the tube attaches at the
hogshead, making it risid, and placing the dipstick at a very convenient location for easy
reads and re-insertion of the dipstick. A loop end was adopted, similar to a Model A unit,
which is super easy to use.

DSC06793.jpg

The genesis of this product was to find a way to achieve an actual oil level reading
all the way down to zero. Running minimal oil being a "speed secret" applied by the
Montana 500 racers, of which many of the AAR people and customers are actively involved
in each year.

I am quite pleased with the quality of the materials and having been party to the
design development, I can attest to these guys really thinking it through. And the
price is CHEAP !

Shameless plug for a great vendor in our hobby that doesn't get enough shameless
plugs: Antique Auto Ranch, Spokane, Wa. 509 . 535 . 7789

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:22 am
by jaxenro
Here you go mounts right on the dash and only $2.00

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:29 am
by Oldav8tor
Burger - thanks for sharing. Any idea what they're selling for?

Also, the Akuret (sp?) dipsticks have been unavailable for a long time. I talked to Lang's and they said they don't know when they will have them in stock again.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:42 am
by babychadwick
Years ago I helped my Grandpa clean up a more unique sight glass and clearing out the estate was able to recover it and keep for my collection. unlike regular sight glasses it is big, approximately 1.5" in diameter. The more unique bit is that it is mounted with a wire to ground out the magneto and stop your engine should you run low on oil or anything happen. I'm sure the size makes it easy to read as well. I will most likely put it on my car when I'm done.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:28 am
by TonyB
I have four Ts and two have dip sticks, one a sight gauge and one the original petcocks. The easiest to use is the dipstick but I’m always concerned about the accuracy. Every so often during an oil change I try to I check that it remains accurate. One of them use to have a sight gauge but it broke during an accident and I lost a lot of oil. Fortunately the motor can run with oil only up to the lower petcock so no serious damage. The fact I replaced the sight gauge with a dipstick shows my real preference. Of course the 09 has the original petcocks and that not likely to change.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:05 pm
by Hal
I prefer the original set up. I use a tool similar to those above that can be made or purchased from any vendor. And I do not get on the ground to use it. I put my left knee on the running board and then bend over enough to look under the fender. I can use the tool with my right hand in that position. It's not nearly so hard for me to get up from that position as it is from the ground.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:48 pm
by Burger in Spokane
[quote=Oldav8tor post_id=18952 time=1553520567 user_id=126]
Burger - thanks for sharing. Any idea what they're selling for?

Also, the Akuret (sp?) dipsticks have been unavailable for a long time. I talked to Lang's and they said they don't know when they will have them in stock again.
[/quote]

===============================================

The repop Akuret (?) dipsticks were on backorder for a long time. I got one about a
year ago, but stalled on the installation, as stabilization of the tube is done by drilling
a hole in the running board splash shield. Since the TT doesn't have these, I was conjering
up a period-looking support arm when the AAR guys began fiddling with their design at our
Tuesday night meetings. So, that was as far as the Akuret install got.

The key advantage of the AAR unit is the positive reading all the way down to zero, and
the tube mounts solidly to the engine. The Akuret only reads oil levels above the lower
petcock and on any application without splash shields, will require something to hold the
tube, or it will want to sag, dropping the open end down and draining all the oil out above
the lower petcock. I prefer the period look of the Akuret castings ... I am big on appearance,
but the finctional advantage/s are too great to overrule. I will probably put a knurled knob
on mine to replace the loop to appease my aesthetic sensibility. 😜

The Akuret sold for somehwere in the mid-fifty dollar range. The Antique Auto Ranch unit
will price right about the same, they told me. Give them a call and get it from the horse's
mouth ! 509 . 535 . 7789

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:02 am
by Spade
Thanks for all the advice. I've decided on the Akuret Dip stick system but I'm having trouble finding one. The suppliers are out and have them on back order.

Re: Can't decide. Sight glass, dip stick or leave it alone.

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 10:16 am
by Burger in Spokane
I think I know someone who has a spare .... :lol: