Engine oil capacity check. US to UK capacity. Dip stick wrong?

[PaulUK1955]

I have just changed the oil in my 55. I was a bit confused about the capacity, plus have heard that the engine dip stick can be way out about giving an accurate reading.

So, I have put European 5.3ltrs of oil in, which includes a bit of Zinc. That's the same as USA Liquid quart equivalent of 5.5.

I am using a spin on filter FRAM PH8A.

I started the engine, left it a while and the dip stick shows the level just above FILL. No where near FULL.

Does that sound right?

[CSPIDY]

1957 Owners manual calls for 5 us quarts in the crankcase with an * to add an additional quart with a filter change. I would imagine the 55 would be the same, maybe someone with a 55 could concor.

[CSavaglio]

My 55 takes about 6 us quarts to fill. I usually put 5 in, start it, shut it down, give it about 10 min to let some of the oil drain down while I clean up, then top it off.

Chris

[paul2748]

6 quarts with a filter change - all Y Blocks

[RAVEN]

I could not keep myself from commenting.
Some interesting info from a Canadian who schooled in Imperial measure and studied science (SI) which was metric, so I am bi-volumetric (bi-lingual)

Metric is metric a Litre is a Litre

A Canadian gallon (IMPERIAL) is 5.546 European LITRES (SI)
A U.S. gallon (AMERICAN) is 3.785 European LITRES (SI)

SO an Imperial gallon is equal to 1.2 U.S. gallon

A relative comparison is that a US Quart is roughly equal to a European Litre, give or take a few Millilitres (US Ounce)

I buy gas in Litres, I buy paint in US Gallons (3.78 L), I buy Milk in 4- 1 Litre bags to a package, and I think in Inches Feet and Miles, but the road signs are in Kilometers.

It is very easy to be confused.
I would say think in Litres and work as if they are the same as you stated.

[CSPIDY]

I could not keep myself from commenting.
Some interesting info from a Canadian who schooled in Imperial measure and studied science (SI) which was metric, so I am bi-volumetric (bi-lingual)

Metric is metric a Litre is a Litre

A Canadian gallon (IMPERIAL) is 5.546 European LITRES (SI)
A U.S. gallon (AMERICAN) is 3.785 European LITRES (SI)

SO an Imperial gallon is equal to 1.2 U.S. gallon

A relative comparison is that a US Quart is roughly equal to a European Litre, give or take a few Millilitres (US Ounce)

I buy gas in Litres, I buy paint in US Gallons (3.78 L), I buy Milk in 4- 1 Litre bags to a package, and I think in Inches Feet and Miles, but the road signs are in Kilometers.

It is very easy to be confused.
I would say think in Litres and work as if they are the same as you stated.

For some reason I am now totally confused, but thoroughly entertained.

[PaulUK1955]

Thanks guys. So I filled the sump to the correct amount and the dip stick shows just over FILL. Concerned I overfilled it in the past, but no harm done I think.

Re Metric and Imperial, to confuse things even further, in the UK we have road Distance in Miles, Petrol in Litres, but measure fuel economy in Mile per gallon (UK gallon not USA gallon) and if you buy Wood from a lumber yard, its measured in Meter lengths by Inches width. And the pubs sell beer in Pints. Easy!

[RAVEN]

LOL Do not forget a "Boot of Beer" which is 2 Litres regardless of your shoe size. It will give you a real kick in the behind.

[tnswt12]

I wanted to add to this post by including additional information I found online at the Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland. The article is titled Oil Dipstick Check and is written by a member of the Chicagoland Thunderbird Club.

My engine came with an oil canister, but I use the spin-on for convenience. When I changed oil for the first time after converting to the spin-on filter I began to notice more oil leaking from the rear of my engine. The rear oil leaking came to a screeching halt when I began using this oil change method.

The link can be found here:
http://ctcc9.blogspot.com/2009/02/oil-d ... check.html

I also attached the article to this post and hope this helps someone else down the road.

[PaulUK1955]

Great, thanks for that. So my dipstick is way off, shows just above LOW when in fact its FULL.

Worth checking to not put additional strain on the engine/seals.