Stiff dipstick

[Mr Spigot]

The dipstick on my MM USHM3 engine is very stiff to put in and out. I have checked it for straightness and it looks OK, as does the tube it goes into. It was straightened a bit in the vice after the photo, so is as straight as it will go. To go the last 3 or 4 inches requires a lot of pressure, certainly a lot more than on my A series one. Can replacement tubes be obtained? Is there a remedy?
Helpful advice preferred, but inuendo inevitable!

[les]

I can’t provide a remedy, apart from making sure it’s absolutely straight but can say it should just drop in.

[Bill_qaz]

Is there the remains of I broken dip stick in the tube?

[Mr Spigot]

I have shone a torch down and the hole does seem to get narrower with some sort of metal there, but nothing that wants to move. If I could remove the tube, it would be easier to see. Does the tube screw in or is it a push fit?

[Bill_qaz]

The tube I believe is just a push fit.
This post may be useful
viewtopic.php?p=591523&hilit=Dip+stick+tube#p591523

[ManyMinors]

The two threads relate to totally different engines though Bill. The engine being discussed here being the old sidevalve unit

[Bill_qaz]

Sorry didn't realise it was the sidevalve.
Perhaps someone knowledgeable on this motor will respond.

[Biggles1957]

Well someone has to say it...

I thought stiff dipsticks weren't a common problem with advancing years...

[Classiccars]

Yes even with a 60 year old you can get a stiff dipstick and sometimes a tight hole.

[les]

On that particularly unsavoury note, I suspect this thread has now reached its end.

[MM1949]

The water inlet casting you have is from an early Morris 8, the Series MM inlet has more of a bend to it which clears the dip stick tube. The Morris 8 dipstick was in a different position so clearance of the inlet casting wasn't a problem.

[geoberni]

My first look at this thread; I'm not as knowledgeable as MM1949 to know about this engine or even the Morris 8 Connections, but I can recognise when someone has bodged something.
Just look at the alignment of the casting for the Dipstick and the line of the guide tube.
That's never going to give you a satisfactory fit!

Get the correct water connection.... if you can.... (lack of availability might be why it's bodged)

MM Dipstick.JPG (84.16 KiB) Viewed 3533 times

[Mr Spigot]

Many thanks for the information about the water inlet. It did look very close. I have only had the car for 6 months so working my way around it and learning a lot. I will see if I can get the correct one and that may help the dipstick problem. Do you know what the part number is?

[geoberni]

My contribution to this topic has run it's course, I know nothing specific about the side valve engine.

From what MM1949 said, the outlet you have is probably from the early Morris 8, which isn't correct for your installation. However, perhaps the folk at the Morris Register might be able to assist. https://morrisregister.co.uk/
You never know, they might have a water connector in their spares stock that they can't fit to a Morris 8, because it's a Minor MM one that they've acquired.....
Certainly the usual Minor suppliers don't carry much for the side valve engine.

[Mr Spigot]

From further inquiries, it seems that it is the correct water inlet manifold which is angled down to clear the dynamo (See photo of another engine from FB). The dipstick tube is, correctly, very close to it. Morris 8 engines had the higher angled one as the dynamo was mounted higher. Assuming that to be the case, back to the original question about how to remove the dipstick tube!

[alanworland]

I can only think it's way out is to drive it up from below.

Alan

[Mr Spigot]

I can only think it's way out is to drive it up from below.

If it is threaded, that would not work and it would be much easier to pull it out the way it was put in, but does anyone know if it is a push fit or threaded? I shall make inquiries at the national rally!

[Bill_qaz]

It doesn't appear threaded to me in the cross section drawing but it does not refer to removal.

Screenshot_20240627-162529_Microsoft 365 (Office).jpg (319.04 KiB) Viewed 3389 times