I fill mine up to just under the top of the safe line. Are you parked on a level surface? That can make a little difference

 

I put 6 in

 

5 1/2 for mine but I use the long filter.

 

Two ways to look at this:

1) The dipstick is correct and you should go by that.

2) The owner's manual is correct and you should go by that.

My opinion and what I actually do is different. Every Dodge I have ever owned, cars and trucks alike, that have the 318 or the 360 do not read correctly on the dipstick. It would seem to be logical to put five quarts in, as the manual states, with an oil/filter change, and note where the level is with the engine cold and go by that as the full mark. As an aside, ALWAYS change the filter when changing oil. I like to use the longer filters but juries are still out on which ones are best. The difference in the volume of oil between the short and long filters is maybe a cup at best, the angle of the filter dictates that most will drain out anyway. The main thing is regular and timely changes.

I usually add enough to make it come to the top of the "safe/do not overfill" line on the dipstick. This is not an exact science, as the oil level is all over the place when the engine is running and a little over won't hurt. I know people who think they should add an extra quart just before taking a long road trip, thinking the extra will keep the oil pump submerged better. It says on the dipstick not to overfill. That's there for a reason.

Bottom line: As long as the oil pump is covered and not sucking air and there is at least 4 1/2 quarts in the engine you should be fine.

Just my freely given opinion and worth every bit of that.

 

look here it is simple. i have a 74 GMC pickup and it has 400,000+ on the original motor. oil changes are the key!! change the oil and filter every 3000 miles or 3 months which ever is first. my 97 dodge has 317,000 miles. i am my second motor (190,000 on first motor. i did not change the oil but every 5000 miles on it)

so in short ...... drain the oil and spin off the old filter. let it drain completely. spin on a new filter and add 4 quarts of oil and 1 quart of lucas oil stabilizer. repeat at 3000 miles.

 

Changed the oil out yesterday, put in 5 quarts and a new filter, truck sit overnight, this morning I went out and it was 1/4 up the safe zone on the dipstick.

I bought another quart and added enough to bring it up to just below the top of the safe zone.

Drove around today, Truck has been sitting for 4-5 hours now, Just went out and checked it again and my oil is now beyond the safe zone by a little ways... Its at the N in Not (Do Not Overfill) on the dipstick...

What the hell happened? Do I need to drain some?

 

What happened is you put too much in it. 5 quarts and a new filter and it's just right. Drain as much out as you put in after the initial 5 quarts.

 

If 5 quarts was enough, why was it down so low in the safe zone this morning?

 

Because the way the dipstick is routed..... it never goes to the same place twice. Down the tube, into the crankcase, into a sleeve welded to the side of the oil pan, back along the oil pan, and finally to the sump. Lots of room for error there. No clue why they did it that way.....

 

Pbobably the same reason the built the plenum like they did!