I just cut 3/4" off of the top of the dipstick tube. (with a tubing cutter) (and I also cut about an inch off of the bottom, so the dipstick can slide past the girdle) There is horsepower there if you keep the oil off of the crank. AND a possible reduction in leaks, too. By going with a deep sump/wide sump pan, you can run the same amount of oil (5 qts.) and keep it off of the spinning crank. (there is no need to run more than 5 qts. of oil. As a matter of fact, most stock eliminator racers run only 3.5-4 qts of oil in the pan to reduce windage)
To address the leaking studs: wet install the studs with silicone. Use a crank scraper, too. When installing a girdle, be SURE to wipe the block AND the girdle with brake clean or laquer thinner to remove all oil/assembly lube residue. Use high quality silicone, too. (Ultra-Black, Rite-Stuff, ect.) Cheap standard silicone has no place in an engine. Fill the girdle stud cavity with silicone, before you lay the gasket in place. I also smear a fair amount of silicone on both sides of the CORK gasket. Even with all this precaution, they all seem to seep oil. I just live by the Buick standard, that if a Buick V6 doesn't leak oil........................better add some..........QUICK!!:biggrin:
