Over the weekend I found out why I've been overfilling the transmission, I had the wrong dipstick. Whomever had the car before me decided it was a good idea to put some Ford dipstick in there...I disagree.

I need to get a new dipstick, the question is do I need to get a new dipstick tube. Everything is in the car so I cannot search the tube for part numbers so the best I can do is ask your expert opinion. It fit together perfectly when I assembled everything a while back; slid into the tranmission fine and bolted up to one of the threaded holes on the head. This fitting nicely does not mean it's correct though so let's hear some opinions.

Here's a picture from when I was putting the engine and transmission into the car, the question is do you think this dipstick tube is correct for my THM 400 and Pontiac engine combo? My car is a 67 coupe with a 400 engine.

Looks right to me. Definitely not from a Ford. They probably swapped out the stick because the indicator section has a tendancy to crack in half making it hard to read the correct level.

When I swapped my transmission, I did not have the correct dipstick or tube. I used the tube from my previous transmission after shortening it on the engine side and used a dipstick that was long enough but the fill marks were for a different application. With the pan removed, I made my own fill mark that would make sure the filter was always submerged. The new mark is close to the level of the pan gasket. Some day, I'll get the correct dipstick and tube, but what I've got is working and swapping it out now will be a hassle.

Where is the4 best place to source a tube and stick? I am getting ready to swap in a 400 trans into my Bird and want to get the correct parts.

Dave

If you want to buy a new set you´ll get a problem: no original dipsticks and tubes available anymore for TH400 transmissions...
The one that comes closest is the unit sold by Performance Years:



You can go to
http://www.pysales.com/iwwidb.pvx?;multi_item_submit
open the search-button and then fill in part# PYU302, then you´ll get a picture...

Classic Industries is offering a chrome plated tube with dip stick unit for USD 19.95, also being meant for a TH400 (part# T4995). Not sure what TH400 they are refering to. The Chevy units won´t fit a Pontiac TH400 without modifications...

CI already gives you a hint:


Then again you can ask FirebirdBill (aka EarlyBrds at EarlyBrds@aol.com) or Terry (aka 69Firebirdman at backyardparts@bellsouth.net). You also could PM them, they both are members on this site...

Last but not least you also could send an inquiery to Frank at Frank´s Pontiac Parts; I just checked his website but for this moment he only offers used TH350 units for sale...
http://www.frankspontiacparts.com/usedparts/pontiacengineparts.htm


BTW - why does the system support the link of Frank´s Pontiac Parts but not the one for Performance Years mentioned above? I copied and pasted both the same way but for opening the PY link you once again have to copy and paste it yourself; however the second link opens automatically when clicking on it??

Forget the Classic Industries chrome model. Fits Chevy TH 400 only. I made that mistake.

I got the PY unit. The interesting thing was it was originally UPS'ed to PY from Classic Industries. CI told me they don't have ones for Pontiacs after I tried to fit the chrome one.

The PY unit has a modern red plastic covered dipstick top.

thanks for all the info. I wonder if I'm not better off just making my own as John did.

summit sells a few dipsticks that it says are for a Pontiac with TH400. Cheapest one is $20.99 (part# TRD-4995).

guess I'll have to think about it. I have a couple of incorrect dipsticks laying around that I could piece together into something that'll work so maybe I'll just do that.

I wonder if the Summit one is the same as the CI unit. Part numbers are pretty similar but their pictures show a different mounting style. The Summit one looks more like the tube that I have shown in the picture at the top of this post.

The summit unit is built by Trans-Dapt Performance Products. don't know if that means anything

Check with Terry. I got a used one from him last year. Good condition. Fits perfectly.