Oil dipstick (230sl?)

[MarkCan]

I’m about to cut a new dipstick for the M127 engine. Engine itself dates back to 66 but I’ve changed few things during the rebuild. There are four components to my equation and three of them are directly related to the oil level reading. New style, larger capacity  lower oil pan allows for higher volume of oil but it doesn’t effect the correctness of the dipstick reading. Upper oil pan # 108 014 0302 ( with the 19 bolts for lower pan attachment) looks to be mated with the latest style dipstick tube. The tube is 10mm in diameter and is 16”3/4 tall (425mm) from the oil pan mount.  I have two earlier dipsticks but not this latest style. Currently I’m using the universal one that fits the tube inner diameter. I filled the engine by volume to confirm the level. Nevertheless it is a time consuming process.
I would appreciate if someone could post some measurements for me so weekend doesn’t go to waist. For the latest style dipstick (pic here; https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Engine/Dipstick)
Total length……..
High level……
Low level……
Thank you in advance.

[dirkbalter]

Mark,
I followed a recent and somewhat confusing discussion on the German forum talking about different dipsticks in different motors. It also matters what kind of tube you have presses in the motor. Below is an early 230 dipstick and I can send you dimensions if needed?

[WRe]

Hi,
this was my contribution to this "confusing discussion" Dirk mentioned. :-)
...WRe

[MarkCan]

Hi,
this was my contribution to this "confusing discussion" Dirk mentioned. :-)
...WRe

Thank you. I’m sure everyone appreciated because it was very informative.
You could maybe add the info on the lower oil pan style. Is it the newer 19 bolt attachment or earlier 18 bolt version? The pan hight changes slightly.

In my example total length from top of the tube to the bottom of the oil pan, measures 573mm. I took the measurements using longer dipstick (soft coat hanger works really well too) pushed all the way to the bottom of the pan. Would you be able to take another measurement the same way as I did?

[WRe]

Hi,
mine is the 19-bolt oil pan. Because I didn't use a straight wire that might have bent a bit I put a small question mark on the 59cm from the upper edge of the stick pipe to the bottom of the oil pan. Probably it's a little bit shorter.
...WRe

[Benz Dr.]

I used the late 280 oil pan with ribs on the sub pan when I built my engine over 20 years ago. The main aluminum main pan had a built in windage tray which all the other pans won't have.  I used the regular 250SE dip stick because that's the engine I'm using. The ribbed sub pan is about 7mm deeper so it holds a bit more oil but not a lot more. I think I would use the second version dipstick used on the late 230SL engine and not worry about it. 

[dirkbalter]

As mentioned, I was a lil confused with the different dipsticks / tubes / oil pans.
I any case,  I think what matters is that you have enough oil in the motor when your stick reads full. In my case, I filled a totally empty motor with 6.6 l of oil and the level is slightly above the full mark. My actual stick dimensions are attached.

[MarkCan]

As mentioned, I was a lil confused with the different dipsticks / tubes / oil pans.
I any case,  I think what matters is that you have enough oil in the motor when your stick reads full. In my case, I filled a totally empty motor with 6.6 l of oil and the level is slightly above the full mark. My actual stick dimensions are attached.

Dirk,
There is a little standoff on top of the pan where the tube enters. On my old gen. two style dipstick it measures 20mm tall. You may want to check yours as this will throw the numbers off quite a bit if omitted..
I enjoy this discussion. At the end wi will probably arrive at the point that Dr. Benz made long time ago. ☝️😂 Well, the key is to appreciate the journey.

I got some preliminary numbers. I’ll confirm my calculations on another engine and post soon.

[dirkbalter]

That’s correct Mark. Dimensions is from the top of the rib or stand off. My sketch is not that detailed.😀😀

[ja17]

There is a photo of all three versions of dipsticks used in the pagoda engines posted in the "Technical Manual".

[MarkCan]

There is a photo of all three versions of dipsticks used in the pagoda engines posted in the "Technical Manual".

Yes and thank you Joe,
I did attach that very link you are talking about in my first post for reference.
Now, I guess is my turn to add the information to the “ Technical Manual”
I’ll take care of it this afternoon.

[MarkCan]

So here is what I came up with;
Second gen. M127
oil tube height is       200mm
mounting post is         20mm
total outside length    220mm
dipstick length    300mm
max. oil level      257mm
min. oil level       285mm
From here I see that dipstick needs to extend;
(257 -220) 37mm bellow oil pan entry for max. reading
(285-220)  65mm bellow oil pan entry for min. reading
Now I applied those findings to my new tube length of 454mm;
(454+37)   491mm from tube top is my new max. oil level reading
(454+65)   519mm from tube top is my new min. oil level reading

I confirmed my calculations with the actual fill value and 6 qt. will put the oil just bellow max. level mark.