Dip stick level.

[squonk 45,737]

Back in the day at the shop ( Roy Farnswoth Chevy Olds in Shortsville N.Y. ,  every car that came in got 20W20 Mobil Oil. Unless they wanted the " Premium Oil Change" then they got Quaker State 10W40.  "Stosh" ran the grease rack and knew who got what without looking. Quaker " Gold" grease came out of the grease hose. He would fight with the parts room guy all the time and more than 1 oil filter flew through the air! 

Edited 7 hours ago by squonk

[Retired Wrencher 6,512]

On 3/23/2026 at 8:06 AM, WHX?? said:

On the comment about dipsticks Its kinda hard to go by dipsticks when one looks like the one below. Given that most of our motors have been through many hands it's entirely possible the original stick has been replaced or modified. 

There was a post not long ago, Think it was from @rmaynard about more oil coming out than what was put in a motor. @Racinbob posted about measuring how much comes out comes out during a oil change and how much goes in using old juicy juice bottles calibrated by your wife's favorite measuring cup. 

Of all of Bob's crazy ideas this one seems to hold oil.  In other words measure what you put in per the manual or published reading and see how that reads against the dipstick. 

Yeah I know a bit more PIA than just dumping a quart in and calling it a day but now you know how much is in it. 

Where can you find dipstick measurements. For particular engines any info help?

Edited 7 hours ago by Retired Wrencher

[midpack 1,115]

I like to use one of these to measure the oil I put in. It's called a Ratio Rite. leftover from racing motorcycles. Mine's a little smaller with a cover to keep debris out when it's on the shelf 

Edited 7 hours ago by midpack

[pfrederi 20,034]

56 minutes ago, Retired Wrencher said:

Where can you find dipstick measurements. For particular engines any info help?

 

 

What is the Spec number for your engine???

 

 

[953 nut 64,539]

3 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said:

Richard there was an update on this oil level.

I was only referring to the oil capacity of a 241 Kohler being 2 quarts and a 241A  being 1 1/2 quarts, not other displacement Kohler engines. Also, if you follow the chart and put 1 1/4 quarts in a 953s engine you will be 3/4 of a quart low   . I would go by the Kohler owner manual rather than this listing.

[pfrederi 20,034]

The simple solution is use the correct dipstick and if you have the spec number we can figure out the correct dipstick length...

[WHX?? 55,590]

Paul beat me to it. 

Dip stick on C-122 Busty was broke and picked one up at a show flea. Who knows if it was the right length so changed oil measured and remarked or  "recalibrated" the replacement stick.