timing cover dipstick fill

[88mudder]

i found this info on here way back but cannot find it. What year 302's were equipped with timing chain covers with the engine oil dipstick on the front?

 

[wade]

My "parts interchange" book doesn't say alot about the timing covers.
Only this:

Timing covers are another critical item for 221/260/2889/302 and 351W engines. Prior to 1968, they were all the same, with an integral timing pointer and some variances in the castings. From 1968 and later, the small-block timing cover has a bolt-on pointer. Later on, the pointer was moved to the right-hand side.

Which really doesn't tell you squat!

Another difference would be for water pump application. Cast iron water pumps w/ RH inlets were used, '65-'69. Beginning in 1970, the inlet went over to the LH side (along w/ a 4-bolt harmonic balancer.) Late model 5.0L & 5.8L's went to a reverse rotation cast aluminum pump designed for serpentine belt drive systems. '94-up, use a different timing cover and water pump because of the use of electric fans.

The only other thing I can think of that might cause a variance is the presence/abscence of the cam-driven fuel pump.

The only time I'd figure the dipstick to be used on the timing cover, is when the engine is using a front sump oil pan. But you are asking for year model! That might be a tough one, because it may very well depend upon vehicle model. Find out which 5.0L powered vehicles used a front sump and you may be closer to an answer.

What is your actual quandry? Will a particular timing cover work, on a particular application?

 

[baddad457]

No need to sweat the timing cover. Just use the one you got. Run down to the local Advance Auto or Autozone and buy a Ford small block chromed dipstick and tube. Then when you get home, drill the cover you have and plug the chromed tube into it. The dipstick tube boss is present on the later timing covers, it's just not drilled. If in doubt as to the stick markings, first time you fill the pan with 5 qts, start the engine to fill the filter, then kill the motor and check the level on the stick.

 

[Mutant Pony]

All of the 302s from '68 to some time in the 80's has the dipstick in the timing cover. All the different timing covers will bolt to any year block. There are actually about 6 different covers.
The front dipstick is for a front sump pan. You DO NOT want to use one with a fox body pan! It would only read the level in the front sump which is not important at all. You can buy both 4x4 oil pans and fox body pans with the dipstick going into the side of the pan so that they can be used with older blocks.