If I put 7 qts. in my T-pan it reads past the word 'FULL', so way overfilled. The oil level is at the full mark with 6.0 qts, as mentioned I typically use 6.5 qts which still reads a little past the full mark. The timing cover and dipstick tube are original, the rolled lip of the dipstick tube is flush with the casting of the timing cover, the dipstick is fully seated into the tube.
I have no reason to believe the dipstick is not original, dipstick total length is 22-9/16", length of the stick inserted fully into the tube (starting where the umbrella seats) is 19-1/2". I have another SBF dipstick laying around with a C8OE engineering number that is a little different shape but has exactly the same measurements and oil level reads exactly the same on it.
Guess I need someone with an original to measure it so I can compare to mine and try to figure out why mine reads different than the posts here.
Thanks,
Dave