WTB Oil gage rod and cap TCM PN 656616-3 (dipstick))

sounds like a good idea, Jim - might be less expensive than the $600 I was quoted (even though none are available). Send the company info, might do it.

Dave: I’m going to have to get a local engraver. The company engineer backpedaled when I reminded him that this was for an experimental aircraft. He said that he would help me, but that would be it, and asked me not to publish the company name, as they would not help other experimental owners. I’ll keep you updated, but will not be using that company. Jim

Is there a reason not to just punch some numbers and mark with a harbor freight punch? my older TSIO sticks were punched and I think the Legacy one is also.

I have the large capacity pan from AeroChia that someone was custom making for him (IO550N).
Eleven quarts is about the 6 quart mark on the dipstick. My engine seems to like between 5 and 6 quarts.

I use it like a most other engine dipsticks (ie, no numbers)- 6 quarts (indicated on the stick) being “full” and 5 quarts or so time to add a quart.

If I check the oil level and it would happen to be much below 5 quarts, I’ve likely got a problem that needs investigating as I don’t use much oil.

The reason for not punching, drilling, grinding, mechanical etching, etc. is the potential for induced stresses on the blade. I was told emphatically by the owner of a well respected Flight Service Station who overhauled my engine not to employ any of those methods, due to the risk of breakage.

It is a very thin piece of metal.
I wonder about indelible markings that don't involved metal loss.
I actually bought a new stick from Autozone to see if I could cut off the unmarked portion, then attach it to my cap but have set it aside for now.

The reason for not punching, drilling, grinding, mechanical etching, etc. is the potential for induced stresses on the blade.

Then just put the cap on with no dipstick. Carry the stick in your flight bag in the airplane and use it only on the ground when measure levels. That's what I do with the Legacy fuel dipstick. It doesn't really need to be in the engine 100% of time, only when you measure the oil level. Then, you only need a spare cap.

Here is a typical Continental dipstick with markings. I'm guessing it is stamped and riveted to the cap. Maybe it is treated but it feels like spring steel and it flexes in the tube and bends on many engines before reaching the pan.

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Yesterday I had my I0-550N oil gauge rod laser etched by Laser Tech in Buford, Georgia. I had replaced the crash damaged (Cirrus) eight quart sump on the engine with a twelve quart IO-520 sump, and of course the dipstick readings were not correct. The results are great, that is assuming that my measurements are accurate. It was a small job for Chris Nowak at Laser Tech, but he was very nice, professional and attentive. He used the measurements I took when I first filled the sump after overhaul, which proved to be very close to the TCM specs for the 12 quart pan. I'll update when I next change the oil to see how accurate my measurements were. Laser Tech is located at 5090 Bristol Industrial Way, Buford, Georgia 30518, and their number is 770-271-1120. They also do instrument panels, and basically anything else you may need laser etched. I'd post a photo, but am having trouble converting my HEIC photos to JPEG.