Stupid Question

[N PRGRES]

Do all Pontiac 400s hold 6 quarts of oil?  Seems like it sits at full at 5 but my dipstick isn't stock.  Better to check cold that hot or vise versa?

[Zach]

Do all Pontiac 400s hold 6 quarts of oil?  Seems like it sits at full at 5 but my dipstick isn't stock.  Better to check cold that hot or vise versa?

Depends on the pan I guess. I normally run the car for a few minutes or so before draining, not enough to make it scalding hot. Think I do about 6 quarts every time.

[rkellerjr]

Do all Pontiac 400s hold 6 quarts of oil?  Seems like it sits at full at 5 but my dipstick isn't stock.  Better to check cold that hot or vise versa?

Mine is 6 quarts when I do an oil change.

[79GoldnTan]

Yea, 6 quarts with the filter sounds right

[N PRGRES]

I guess my question derives from the fact my dipstick (not talking about myself here) isn't stock and I am wondering if its reading correctly.  I guess I should just dump in the 6th quart and be done with it.

[71455formula]

If it's not the stock dipstick; you can put 5qts in and see where it is on the markings. Then add to its at the proper level and keep track of how much you put in. With a stock pan it's usually 6qts with an oil/oil filter change.

[tajoe]

I had an issue decades ago with a foreign dipstick, and scribed a line on it, after an oil change. (6 quarts, W/filter).

[roadking77]

The dipstick for my 79 motor was lost. So I sourced an 'original' from someplace. Before I got a chance to use it I found the original. The replacement one was about an inch or so shorter than the original. I cant imagine what that would have done to the levels

[N PRGRES]

I put the 6th quart in and made a new mark.  It was about 1/4 maybe a tad less than the "original" full mark

[Wallington]

Could it have been a non-AC dipstick? Although I'd imagine they are a fair amount longer than that to match the longer dipstick tubes.

[N PRGRES]

Could it have been a non-AC dipstick? Although I'd imagine they are a fair amount longer than that to match the longer dipstick tubes.

Anything is possible I suppose