When it comes to producing a tech feature, sometimes the most basic of projects can go sideways. A good example is when we figured we had an install so simple even a magazine editor (that'd be me) could do it, and things got a little out of hand. It had absolutely nothing to do with Lokar's flexible dipstick, but rather an intense desire to create something unique from the existing part. In search of a different appearance from the look braided stainless steel offers, we chose to wrap Lokar's flexible dipstick with black shrink tubing to match Lokar's new Midnight Series black satin finish.
In spite of knowing the pitfalls that could be encountered by slipping the nut off the braided stainless steel tube and fraying the ends, we accidentally did. Thanks to analyzing what was needed to correct the situation, then carefully proceeding, in the end we achieved the results we were after without any trace of a problem. Proving even a dark cloud can have a silver lining, the experience left us with a few good warning tips to pass on to CCT's valued readers.
Although the subject vehicle is a '75 Chevy short-wide with a 454-inch big-block motor, the following instructions can be applied to any make of truck. We'd like to mention that the '75 Chevy is one of three project vehicles Custom Classic Trucks' readers can expect to see in upcoming tech features, ranging from low-buck to high-dollar. The other short-wides are a '72 Ford F-100 and a '86 Dodge Ram.
The 454-inch rat motor in our '75 Chevy is a transplant from a '77 Chevy Crew Cab dually equipped with tube headers. One of the first things we did while shopping for the '75 was attempt to check the engine oil. We discovered the 454 was missing its dipstick due to interference from the tube headers running directly above. There were no indications the engine had run out of oil, but we definitely needed to correct the inaccessible dipstick situation
Darryl Nance of D&P Classic Chevy in Huntington Beach, California, standing in front of a wall full of Lokar Performance Products. It was great to find a shop with a good inventory. | 
Lokar recommends running the dipstick tube as straight as possible. We mounted the Lokar flexible dipstick in front for easy reach. | 
The first step was to locate the 454's dipstick hole... |
...then, using jackstands, safely raise the truck into the air to gain access to the passenger side of the 454's oil pan. | 
We removed the Lokar ED-5003 flexible dipstick from its package, then spray-lubed the two O-rings in preparation for installation. | 
After we were not able to press the dipstick in by hand... |