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Wed May 26, 2010 7:08 pm

What is the proper dipstick for a 25hp? I have 3 and they look alike but are different lengths.

Thu May 27, 2010 8:13 am

Jim already has his answer as I went out to the storage building last night in a thunderstorm to measure mine for him (!), but I'll post here for reference. I too noticed there were several different length dipsticks in 25 and 36 hp engines.

I believe the one in my '50 is correct. It measures 6 31/32" from the (sump end) tip to the bottom flange of the "hat" that goes over the top of the dipstick tube. So just a hair under 7"

Thu May 27, 2010 11:14 am

Thanks again, John. This man went out in the rain to measure this for me as I was wrapping up a problem on my car. Kudos!!

Sun Jun 06, 2010 9:13 pm

Not to add confusion, but I think the difference between a 36hp and 25 hp is the top part that holds the dipstick in the tube.

In these pictures the length is identical as are the position of the marks, but notice the length of the part below the "hat"

25hp is the silver one on top, 36hp is the one on the bottom. I'm not sure what the one in the middle is (maybe just broken off?) but it looks original.

Sun Jun 06, 2010 11:11 pm

johnshenry wrote: It measures 6 31/32" from ....
Don't you have a metric ruler?

Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:55 am

Progressive Refinements shows the "dipstick tube located higher" on 7 June 1952, at Engine no. 1-0436414. This suggests a longer dipstick on later 25hp engines, so could the center dipstick may be correct for engines built before then?

For the 1960-only, red-handled 36hp dipstick (because the power train angle changed 2 degrees relative to the ground), Progressive Refinements only lists the changes in distance from the tip to the upper mark (from 44 to 40mm).

Mon Jun 07, 2010 6:47 am

The top one, came out of an August 49 engine. One identical to it came out of a rebuilt (in 1956) 25hp engine. The others came from different 36 HP engines.

I have one of those red handled ones and IIRC it's identical to the 36hp. I'll post up a picture.

Tue Jun 08, 2010 5:04 am

nlorntson wrote: I have one of those red handled ones and IIRC it's identical to the 36hp. I'll post up a picture.
Here you can see the difference with a 'regular' 36hp:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=977401

Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:45 am

nlorntson wrote: I have one of those red handled ones and IIRC it's identical to the 36hp. I'll post up a picture.

1960 at the top (left) compared to a 36hp one. They are identical design wise with the longer upper spring piece (as compared to the shorter 25hp version). Of course the marks on the 1960 version are about 4mm lower on the dipstick and the top is red.

Sat Jun 30, 2018 7:48 am

Old post, but useful for future.

Fri Mar 13, 2020 9:01 am

Bruce wrote: johnshenry wrote: It measures 6 31/32" from ....
Don't you have a metric ruler?

… do you have an American standard ruler?

Fri Mar 13, 2020 11:42 am

60 dipstick on the left. 59 and earlier 36hp and 25hp on the right.
The engine angle was changed in '60 thus changing the oil level at the rear of the engine. The '60 dipstick has the marks lower to compensate for this. The '60 dipstick was red to make it stand out.

There were differences in the hat and other details but as far as measuring the oil and '59 or earlier dipstick will work just fine.

Fri Apr 03, 2020 9:05 am

As noted in the chart shown above, there were TWO different different oil level dipsticks with "red painted" handles, one with a 111 115 611A part number for the 30bhp 2% inclination engines and a unique 211 115 611 part number dipstick for the "Bastard" Type 2 engines starting in May 1959 and ending about a year and a half later or so.

Bill Bowman

Sat Aug 22, 2020 6:04 am

Now - how did the early (WW2) dipstick look? It did not nave the typical cap but there was only a "wave" on one side serving the same purpose as the cap. What were the dimensions and where were the level marks?

Sun Aug 23, 2020 9:43 am

… am learning more about human-nature on these split forums, these days - because I am much more into practical-function, then correctness - is why I rely on Mr. JT Garwood so heavily... just to know what is correct and what is not - Have to ask, why is everyone so hell-bent on originality? Is that just all the fun for you guys? Is that just the sport of the game?

Dipsticks > yikes! i'd just empty my crankcase of oil - look up the quantity of oil my 25 holds (thought all type ones held 2.7 US quarts) grab any dipstick and put it in the hole - add 1.7 quarts if oil - let it settle and check the dipstick - file a little line at 1.7 and add the final quart - file another little line, indicating full and live by my marks (bet the existing lines on the sticks would be close enough anyway and no additional lines would be necessary)…

… if I was aware that 25 horse oil-dipsticks were so special, idda' never gotten rid of any, over the years - have a few 36 and 40 horse sticks, in my stash...marked as such.

… Not debating or looking to argue - everyone should just 'do their own- thing' and i'm cool with that. I have come to respect Mr. Splitdog, finster (and others) very much - So, just wanting to understand other opinions, is all - many thanks - z

Sun Aug 23, 2020 10:58 am

There are two things coming to my mind speaking about the originalty delusion:

The first point is a certain suspense on historical and archeological kind of research. If there would nobody interested in our past and in old ruins found, there wouldn't be any further investigation and connected knowledge about where we came from. Archeologists are very fussy at work and so are we here, learning every day something new about our little cars, how the've been made and changed. We also try to retrace and understand the engineers work at the VW factory in the past.

The second point is the uprising worth of our vehicles (that I hate actually). People selling their cars have to argue why they want that much money. Historical corectness is one good point to discuss the asking price. And for knowing all the details, we study it on the samba. I also want to buy a expensive car only, when the details are correct.

Sun Aug 23, 2020 6:38 pm

pastellgreen wrote: There are two things coming to my mind speaking about the originalty delusion:

The first point is a certain suspense on historical and archeological kind of research. If there would nobody interested in our past and in old ruins found, there wouldn't be any further investigation and connected knowledge about where we came from. Archeologists are very fussy at work and so are we here, learning every day something new about our little cars, how the've been made and changed. We also try to retrace and understand the engineers work at the VW factory in the past.

The second point is the uprising worth of our vehicles (that I hate actually). People selling their cars have to argue why they want that much money. Historical corectness is one good point to discuss the asking price. And for knowing all the details, we study it on the samba. I also want to buy a expensive car only, when the details are correct.

Yes, excellent reasoning - and I agree - thanks for taking the time to explain - is appreciated - z

Thu Aug 27, 2020 6:43 pm

ZENVWDRIVER wrote: Bruce wrote: johnshenry wrote: It measures 6 31/32" from ....
Don't you have a metric ruler?
… do you have an American standard ruler?
LOL, do any of you have a calculator? 177mm