A50 dipstick question

[chaz]

just started stripping the A50 (1969), first question is, does the gearbox dipstick always come in plastic?
the cases will have to be blasted as the black sparkle paint it currently wears is chipping off, the outer cases are polished but the plastic dipstick is going to let the look down as its off white, presumably chromed originally all worn off and hardened liable to break. if not available in metal I might make one.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Chaz,

I would say that they are all plastic and never had chrome on them.  Why plastic, I do not know.  I think I preferred the earlier idea with a proper cap on the top of the case and a level tube in the bottom of the gearbox.

Dave.

[A10 JWO]

Had plastic on my A65, I put it in the dish-washer, came up nice.

[ChrisG]

They are plastic so they bend and slip past the obstructions in the case. They do go discoloured but are as cheap as chips for new ones.

[chaz]

thanks for the replies, the Japanese would have chrome plated them from my dealings in the past, so just guessing, the mid sixties Thunderbolts I had didnt have them.
while apart I might explore possibilities.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Chaz,

I think the  earlier drain/level plug is a different thread to the later plug but adaption may be possible.

Dave.

[Bess]

Hi Chaz,
             Stainless steel types crop up on Ebay periodically.

Best wishes...

[boriscross]

Don't remember the cases ever being painted, black or anything else that sounds like a custom job to me. I worked at Small Heath from '64 to '71. All the dip sticks were whit plastic as I recall.

[chaz]

boris, you mean they didnt come out of the factory like this??

[chaz]

you can make out where the paint has been removed by the fuel from the carb