Remote Transmission Dip Stick Aftermarket Support?

[Big Blue]

Would the dipstick even register any fluid without the engine running?

The stick will probably read high without the truck running, because of drain down. With it running the pump is pulling fluid out of the sump. If you pulled the stick hot without it running it may overflow.

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[Fitzmotor]

I pull it cold a lot with this project, it reads a little high.

 

[Msfitoy]

If a reading can be had while cold and without running, I wonder why isn't it standard practice to just use this method for reading level? Why does Ford insist that it be read at volcano temps while running?

 

[ctechbob]

If a reading can be had while cold and without running, I wonder why isn't it standard practice to just use this method for reading level? Why does Ford insist that it be read at volcano temps while running?

Because some converters drain back more than others is my understanding. Running the system has fluid everywhere it is supposed to be.

 

[RAYJAY]

I pull it cold a lot with this project, it reads a little high.

and if a bunch of us start putting our readings on here we could come up with a

If a reading can be had while cold and without running, I wonder why isn't it standard practice to just use this method for reading level? Why does Ford insist that it be read at volcano temps while running?

also hot fluid expands so doing it hot make sure your not overfull, for the life of me way no dipstick for trans ???

 

[Danno 1948]

What differant is a thousand of a inch going to make in checking the fluid level, most people run them a little below the full mark or some a little above. just my 2cents

 

[TJC]

Update:

I now know why the B&M stick has to be marked by the end user, the hose mfg has a +- tolerance of .250" so that means there can be up to .500" acceptable difference in length from one hose to the next.

I found this true when he made a second one for me with the bracket on it, it's short .200"

I also found the dipsticks can vary .125"

So the only way to make a pre-marked stick is to hand make each one, match the hoses with the sticks and machine the end fitting to final length.

I will see as it goes along if I car realistically make a pre-marked stick.

A .5" tolerance is enormous! I can understand .125", but 1/2" difference from part to part is simply sloppy workmanship! How hard is it to measure and cut to a correct length? I could make a jig in my garage to do this in 15 minutes. Am I missing something obvious?

This implies your dipstick needs to be long enough to measure properly in the longest tube length + .125" more. 3/8" longer total. This would put the dipstick up to 5/8" longer on the shortest tube delivered (The longest dipstick mated to the shortest hose).

If it protrudes an extra .5" from the block mount at the top that should not be a problem. But would 1/4" short still work? I guess I am suggesting that you make the fabbed tubes .25" longer than your prototype. That way the shortest one would be identical to your prototype, fitting the block mount perfectly.

Marking the dipstick ourselves shouldn't be an issue. I do like the use of a standard flat dipstick. It means I can drill low mark and high mark holes in it.

Ain't working with fabrication shops fun!

 

[TJC]

What differant is a thousand of a inch going to make in checking the fluid level, most people run them a little below the full mark or some a little above. just my 2cents

.001" Doesn't matter

.5" Does matter!

Add in the extra .125" variance of the dipstick, and you've got a very big difference of 5/8", ~ a couple of quarts of transmission fluid.

 

[D Fresh]

I agree. That was my plan for the B&M stick was to do a cold level as a reference mark. Then install the new stick and do a reference mark and mark the new stick to match the original. So, not a problem.

Really like how it is looking and can't wait to get one.

Yea, if you r left the truck sitting over night and don't start it, the fluid is not going to move. Pull the oem stick and note the level, install new stick and transfer it over, mark from there using the oem stick as a guide.

Better verify that level hot first.

If a reading can be had while cold and without running, I wonder why isn't it standard practice to just use this method for reading level? Why does Ford insist that it be read at volcano temps while running?

Because from the dawn of automatic transmissions you have always checked fluid at operating temperature, in nuetral, on level ground.

It's always been this way due to fluid drainback.

 

[Big Blue]

Better verify that level hot first.

Why? If you take the level cold, mark it, do not start truck, change out dipstick. Take the level with the new stick and mark it to match the old stick. Who cares what the level is cold, just so the levels match up. It's a calibration thing. Much easier/safer to do cold.

I would want to do the same thing if the new stick was pre-marked. Just to make sure they read the same.

Then check it hot to see if the level is actually correct.

 

[D Fresh]

Why? If you take the level cold, mark it, do not start truck, change out dipstick. Take the level with the new stick and mark it to match the old stick. Who cares what the level is cold, just so the levels match up. It's a calibration thing. Much easier/safer to do cold.

I would want to do the same thing if the new stick was pre-marked. Just to make sure they read the same.

Then check it hot to see if the level is actually correct.

Why?

Because if you never check your fluid hot to ensure that the cold level is correct, you're simply hoping and praying that your transmission was properly filled from the factory. And we all know many Rangers were not.

My truck was a quart and a half low off the lot. If I never verified it hot and just assumed the level it was delivered at was correct for cold there could be some problems.

 

[Big Blue]

Why?

Because if you never check your fluid hot to ensure that the cold level is correct, you're simply hoping and praying that your transmission was properly filled from the factory. And we all know many Rangers were not.

My truck was a quart and a half low off the lot. If I never verified it hot and just assumed the level it was delivered at was correct for cold there could be some problems.

If all I'm doing is changing the dip stick, all I care about is they read the same. Then I can check the level hot to see it is filled properly, and not burn myself.

 

[D Fresh]

If all I'm doing is changing the dip stick, all I care about is they read the same. Then I can check the level hot to see it is filled properly, and not burn myself.

If you mark it cold without verifying that the level is correct how would you know where the hot level is?

You wouldn't.

You'd be guessing.

A smart man would verify levels are good hot, because that's how automatic transmissions are checked. Mark your cold level upon install, and then mark your hot level. That would be the most precise way to do it.

 

[Msfitoy]

Hopefully, I'll get Mike's new dipstick soon while my tranny is brand new with fresh topped up fluid...I can stick it in while it's running hot and make the mark...so much kinkyness in one sentence...

 

[Big Blue]

If you mark it cold without verifying that the level is correct how would you know where the hot level is?

You wouldn't.

You'd be guessing.

A smart man would verify levels are good hot, because that's how automatic transmissions are checked. Mark your cold level upon install, and then mark your hot level. That would be the most precise way to do it.

I give up! You obviously are not getting the idea/consept of using the cold none running level to calibrate the markings you are adding to the new stick so they match. I don’t care if the level is right or wrong. As long as they match on both sticks under the same conditions. Then and can do a hot running check to see if my transmission if properly filled and adjust as necessary.

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