Just to throw my .02 worth in. Over on the slant six dot org board I did a search and found only one question about a "disappearing dipstick". It seems that the top of the dipstick tube can get bent outward from the block and put the bottom of the stick into the crank. The solution is to bend the top of the tube toward the block thus moving the bottom of the stick away from the crank. Hope this helps.
Dan
