261 Oil capacity or dipstick issue?

[Goach2]

HI all - I have a 1960 Canadian Pontiac 261 that I am swapping into my '48 3600. I used Deve's instructions an made up an SS dipstick tube, which was pretty much the same length of the one that came with the engine. The problem is; I put 5qts in as that's what the Pontiac manual calls for (with a filter) and it's at the 'low' level mark. Now I'm confused if I have the wrong dipstick (14" under washer to full) or if I should put in 6qt, like a typical truck. Any ideas?

[Deve]

Not sure about the Canadian version of the 261, but here the length of the stick from the washer to full is 13-3/4. Also, I put in a total of 6 qts with almost one in the filter. I always pre-fill the filter before installing. It reads correctly. Hope that helps!

[Goach2]

Thanks Deve. Do you know what dictates the amount of oil that goes into one of these? Is it the size of the oilpan?

[Deve]

I do not know how the car companies calculate that. If the level reads right at 13-3/4, its just the wrong dipstick.

[Goach2]

That's my problem, I don't know how much oil it should take or if it's got the wrong dipstick!

[Deve]

Scratch or sharpie the dipstick at 13-3/4 inches from the washer to the full mark. Add 6 quarts of oil including the filter. If the stick reads about right, and it may be a little high or a little low, but pretty close, you can get the correct stick or permanently scribe the line there. I would think GM would have made all of their 261's the same, but I could be wrong. That's as far as my knowledge will take you. You might ask at inliners.org in their forums in case someone else has run into this same thing.

[Goach2]

Thanks, I've spread this question around to a number of different sources. The dipstick seems to say use 6qt, but Pontiac manuals call for 5qt, so I've been really hesitant to add more. Brand new build, so I am really concerned about blowing out a seal...