SB dipstick tube

[burdar]

Well, I did something dumb years ago and now I need to fix it. 

The dipstick tube broke off inside my 360 block. I ended up drilling out the broken piece. The problem is that I drilled it a little too big. Now the dipstick tube slides right in the hole without any effort. What do I do to get back the pressed fit so it doesn't leak?

Do I drill the block even larger and install some sort of brass sleeve? Do I just mix up some JB weld and epoxy the tube in place? Is there any way to swell the end of the tube slightly to make it fit tight? What should I do? Thanks

[anlauto]

Viagra 

[roadman5312]

Viagra 

 

[Chryco Psycho]

You may be able to swell the end with a pin punch or threading a tapered bolt inside the tube to open the end & thread a straight bolt in to swell it if you can get the right sized bolt ,
 Viagra might be the best bet .

[burdar]

I used a pin punch yesterday. It swelled the very end but I wasn't able to get very far into the tube. It doesn't slip into the block any more though. I'll see if I have a bolt or a tap that I could run into the end. Thanks for the idea.

[jimynick]

You're a pretty handy guy, so why not get a piece of mild steel rod that you can turn to an interference fit in the block, drill it, cut it off and weld it to the existing tube? Or source a piece of thick wall tube to do the same? Or clean the existing tube, flux and tin it and then solder on a piece of brass shim stock that would bring you up to size? Just my 

[dutch]

here`s how I would fix it.  take 2 pieces of alu or steel ( like maybe an inch square ,doesn`t really matter ) tack weld them together and drill a hole through the seam, the size of the tube, so you can use it to clamp the tube up side down in a vise right above the ridge that lays on the block surface ( hope that makes sense ) Heat the part that goes in the block and use a round tip punch (or the backside of a drillbit )

[burdar]

All good ideas.  Thank you.

[jimynick]

Hey Bart! That's the old Dutch blacksmith coming out, isn't it? I thought about swaging it bigger, but hadn't thought about how to hold it. Good idea! 

[LEMOOREACE]

pull alternator and fuel pump, install an easy out and wiggle away...   happened to me before.  it'll come out.

[burdar]

I got the tube installed.  I tried it with my punch marks first.  It was tighter then before but not tight enough.  I ended up taking Dutch's advice.  My bench vise has notches in the jaws so clamping the tube wasn't an issue.  I used a torch and heated the end that goes in the block.  I used the back side of a drill bit to swell the end of the tube. Thanks everyone!

[dutch]

glad you got it fixed