I have a 440 in a 79 truck. It’s a 77 block with rear sump on the oil pan and the dipstick goes in the side of the sump.
Q1 - How much oil goes in this engine?
Q2 - The dipstick has no markings on it. If I run it to fill the filter and then check oil level am I safe scratching the dipstick at that level?

 

I believe it hold 5 quarts. Think I would change the oil, let it drain is long as you can, change the filter, run it, make sure all five quarts are in there, let it sit for an hour for the oil to drain down, then mark the stick. No markings at all does some strange though... does it have little holes in it?

 

No holes. This stick has been cut down from something else. You can see the two Ls from the word FULL.

 

Think I might be tempted to find an aftermarket dipstick, for your current application. Dodge trucks of that era actually came with 440 from the factory, so, someone should have something.

 

up til 87 model year, all Dodge trucks and vans I ever messed with took 6 qts including filter. slant 6 all the way to 440. and there have been quite a few.

 

Last year for any big block was 78.

 

77 block, 78 cab, 83 chassis, 79 Macho Power Wagon graphics. I call it a 79.