A-4 dipstick question

[jjdoons]

I recently purchase a Sabre 28 MKI with it's original A-4. The boat hasn't sailed since 2008. The engine started and ran fine. There was a small water leak on the front of the engine that appears to have a years-old JB Weld quick repair that no longer is holding. However, I drained the oil but discovered that the grommet on the top of the dipstick is gone allowing the dipstick to go too far into the dipstick tube. Can anyone tell me the distance from the tip of the dipstick to the grommet so I can make the easy repair and get an accurate reading on my oil level. Thanks.

[CalebD]

I'd have to measure the distance to give you an exact measurement.
From memory it is around 4" +/-. The measuring pin/gauge does not touch the bottom (obviously). It will be some time before I could measure that for you (month or so).

Moyer sells a replacement oil dipstick. From the online catalog look at overhaul parts then oil system. Is your dipstick of the type pictured there?
Mine is different then the one pictured.

In either case I'd bet you could build up the 'grommet' with JB Weld or epoxy once you figure out what the level should be, approximately.

[jjdoons]

I have the short dipstick, not the extended one offered for sale. It is right around 4" from tip to grommet. I just want to get it right. No rush in the measurement. I won't need it until April. But if you do make it down to your boat, keep me in mind. Thanks

[CalebD]

Ok, so you likely have the same kind of dip stick that I do, without the extended handle. I wish I had the one with the extended handle as it would be so much easier to find when I'm looking to check the oil level.

My dipstick (and this is all from memory) has a heavy metal cap on top. The cap is roughly shaped like a sewing thimble, eg., cylindrical and hollow and < 3/4" in height. The hollow inside the cap allows the cap to fit over a small lip that surrounds the dipstick opening on the engine block.

I'm a little confused when you say "the grommet on the top of the dipstick is gone". Has the metal cap separated from the stick and you can't find the cap? Is the lip around the dipstick hole on the block rusted out? Help me out here.

I can still give you the measurement of how much length of stick protrudes from below the cap. I'll also measure the height of the cap and take a picture of it. I should be able to get to my boat within a months time or so.

[CalebD]

Sorry it took so long.

What my photos show is that the tip of the dipstick down below the cap by 6-15/16" or 6-7/8". Sorry about the quality of the photos but I think they get the idea across.

[edwardc]

...Sorry about the quality of the photos...

Caleb,

Try using the "Macro Focus" mode on the camera. The icon usually looks like a flower.

[jjdoons]

Perfect. Thanks. Launched mine today. Put new oil in, changed the fuel filters and inspected the fuel. I was expecting the fuel to look bad since the boat has not been used in three years or so. Surprisingly, it looked fine. I need to get new choke cable since mine was badly corroded and had seized. Managed to get it going but the inner wire was shot and broke after a little manipulation. Unfortunatley, I need a nine foot cable so will have to get the long one and cut it. ($70 ouch) A couple shots of starting fluid and it turned right over. One water hose was bad and needed replacing. Other than that quick fix, the motor ran great. Plenty of water pumping and oil pressure was fine. Couldn't get it to heat up since the water here is still quite chilly. Now I just have to learn how to sail and I'm in business.

[CalebD]

Caleb,

Try using the "Macro Focus" mode on the camera. The icon usually looks like a flower.

I hate to say it but I can't see the icons for the buttons on our camera even with magnifying readers. I'm only 54 but ouch! that brick wall is hard.

[CalebD]

Perfect. Thanks. Launched mine today. Put new oil in, changed the fuel filters and inspected the fuel. I was expecting the fuel to look bad since the boat has not been used in three years or so. Surprisingly, it looked fine. I need to get new choke cable since mine was badly corroded and had seized. Managed to get it going but the inner wire was shot and broke after a little manipulation. Unfortunatley, I need a nine foot cable so will have to get the long one and cut it. ($70 ouch) A couple shots of starting fluid and it turned right over. One water hose was bad and needed replacing. Other than that quick fix, the motor ran great. Plenty of water pumping and oil pressure was fine. Couldn't get it to heat up since the water here is still quite chilly. Now I just have to learn how to sail and I'm in business.

Glad to be of help.
Sorry to hear about your choke cable. Yes, ouch! Some things you just have to spend a bit of money on.

Hope you have a blast sailing on the Chessie this season. Such a great place for sailing.