This is a story about a part that I did not know existed for a problem that I did not know that I had.
A guy at a Ford show told me that my oil dipstick was supposed to be inside the generator bracket, like on this example:
Attachment 6005
... and this example:
Attachment 6008
My dipstick was outside of the generator bracket:
Attachment 6006
My dipstick tube stuck straight up and it would not go inside the generator bracket without bending it. That made me realize that I did not have the correct dipstick tube. Hmmmm. That caused me to start over-thinking things and I wondered if I might be getting incorrect oil level indications if the length of the dipstick tube was longer or shorter than it was supposed to be.
A replacement dipstick for a 289 or 302 would not be the same because they used an alternator and not a generator and would be bent to a different angle. :(
It turns out that CJ Pony parts has a dipstick tube specifically for a 260 for $12.99 including postage. Yay! :) I figured "what the heck" and went ahead and ordered one.
Attachment 6007
CJ also sells a replacement dipstick for a 260 that measures 24-inches. I measured my existing dipstick and it is exactly ..... 24-inches. Yay! :) My oil level measurements will be spot-on perfect! (If I have the correct oil pan.)
Attachment 6009
