# Trans. Dipstick Fluid Level **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 24, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trans-dipstick-fluid-level/79490 "2013-05-24T03:49:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pshoremo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pshoremo/32/2507_2.png) [@pshoremo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pshoremo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trans-dipstick-fluid-level/79490/1 "2013-05-24T03:49:44Z")
Ok, here we go. I have a strange one for you. I replaced the trans. filter, put the pan on with a new gasket and put in about 7 quarts tran. fluid. I also put on a new dipstick tube and dipstick. The dipstick is longer than the original but when it goes into the case it is the same length there so it is (supposed) to measure correctly. The dipstick just sticks up a little higher above the engine than the original dipstick. I have driven the truck and gotn it warm, stuck it in park while the engine still on and have checked the dipstick. The very tip of the dipstick is wet but I can’t seem to get a good reading/get the fluid level to come up. I started at 4 quarts, then 5, then 6, and now I’m at 7 quarts but there is no change on the dipstick. Does anyone have any ideas? This is my 1977 F-150, 351M, with the 17 Bolt Automatic Trans. Let me know your thoughts, I don’t want to keep putting in trans. fluid and overfill it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trans-dipstick-fluid-level/79490/2 "2013-05-24T04:04:25Z")
You cut the dipstick to the proper length. Did you also cut the dipstick tube down to the same length as the old one? Tester ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trans-dipstick-fluid-level/79490/3 "2013-05-24T04:15:52Z")
What are the measured dimensions of the old/new dipstick and tubes? ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trans-dipstick-fluid-level/79490/4 "2013-05-24T04:56:18Z")
You might need to back up and start over. The significant dimension is the level of the oil relative to the transmission case hole that the dipstick attaches to. On the old dipstick tube with the dipstick inserted measure the distance from the tube mating surface to the FULL mark on the dipstick. Remove the new tube and dipstick and measure that distance and compare. ---
**Author:** ![GMC\_G2500\_VAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GMC\_G2500\_VAN](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GMC_G2500_VAN)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/trans-dipstick-fluid-level/79490/5 "2013-05-24T05:19:32Z")
Why in the hell did u change out the original trans dipstick and tube in the first place ???