Which is correct: dip stick or owner's manual?

[BradyB]

To have the oil register as full on the dipstick I had to add 8.5 quarts last night. I'm thinking the dipstick is wrong as the owner's manual recommends 7 quarts when changing the oil and filter. The oil pan looks original, it's stamped steel and nice and rusty. I drained 6 quarts of dirty oil from the truck after I added a quart between oil changes. The old 383 does burn a bit of oil.

Should I suck 1.5 quarts back out? What say ye?

I have a 1970 383 with no type of oil cooler.

[elacruze]

Go with the quantity stated in the manual. It's very common for the stick to be off. Add the correct amount and re-mark the stick. As far as what's already there, I would remove some by removing the oil filter and *after disconnecting the coil wire* turn the engine over, pumping some out. If you leave the level too high, you risk having the oil foamed by the crankshaft.

[BradyB]

I'll just use my ingenious nitro fuel hand pump/surgical tubing oil sucking device. I’ll pull out 1.5 quarts and remark the dip stick.

Thanks Man.