I changed the oil for the first time in my wife's Valiant this weekend.

(It had a fresh oil change w/zero miles on it when I bought it. My wife has yet to put 2k miles on it, but that oil change is going on a year old.)

The dipstick broke off at the full line right after I first brought it home.

(I was maintaining oil level by pouring slowly a little at a time and stopping when oil showed on the tip of the broken stick).

I bought another dipstick off a board member, but it was too long.

I am kicking myself for being so unscientific about everything, but I did not measure the oil coming out, or going in.

I started refilling with a partial 5 qt bottle, and finished with a full one.

Nearly all of the full one went in before I started to suspect something screwey.

All I know for sure is that more than 5 qts went in.

Not only does nothing show on the broken dipstick, but when I use the too long dipstick (aligning the 'full' marks and pinching it so it goes in only as far as the dipstick that came with the car goes into the tube) it doesn't show either.

If I put the too long one all the way in, it gets like 4" of oil on it (the net length difference between the two sticks is like 7").

I'm guessing I have the wrong tube and/or the wrong dipstick for the car.

I was panicing breifly thinking that the oil passeges were clogged and not letting the oil down to the pan. (Upon running the engine and noticing that the valve cover leaks at the rear sparkplug side, and doesn't with the engine off.)

Anybody know how long my tube and dipstick should be, respectively (1970 Valiant 4 door auto 225) ?

I also need to address the leak (brand new rubber gasket, retorqued a few heat cycles later). Not sure what that's about.

Any help appreciated as always.

drain oil...refill with 5 quarts....stick in long dipstick...use a chisel to make a new line