I've knocked the dipstick tube which is now loose and can be lifted clean out of the block. It appears to have been stuck in place with some kind of white mastic which is now covered in oil.

How do I clean up/remove the old mastic from the hole without contaminating the fresh oil in the sump and what do I use to bond it back in place?

Normally mastic comes out in one piece if you use some long nosed pliers.
I have always just ovalled the tube slightly, before tapping it back in. No glue required

Unfortunately this is old, rock hard sealant stuff that crumbled when I tried to pull it out and the tube is way smaller that the hole.

The only solution I can see is to go buy some ramps to get the car off the ground, drain the oil, take the sump off, drill the sealant out and re-do it with something (still open to suggestions) and re-set the dipstick. Obviously I would like to avoid doing this!

sorry I don't see the problem as the hole for the dipstick is miles away from the oil. All you have to do is cleen the hole with a rolled up rag dipped in white spirt then use a good epoxy glue to stick the tube back on. Quite a common thing on pintos'

I agree with Whippylad here. Mine was also loose. cleaned up best as possible and bonded with e-metal. Not a great fix but now i have correct amount of oil in i never get a leak. do you have the top bracket in place? This prevents movement.

That will do me, I was a bit worried about the solvent dropping into the oil if I cleaned it in situ, but so long as somebody says it should be ok I'll take that approach.

Top bracket? never had one on when it came out of the Sierra.

[Edited on 11/2/08 by John.Taylor]

just make one, fords attempt wasn't very imaginative anyway. You should see a small taped hole in the block in line with the dipstick pipe. Nothing more than a bent bit of steel strip clamped round the pipe and bolted to the block is needed.

it should bolt to the head using one of the inlet manifold nuts

Thanks all.

any bits falling into the sump should either not getpassed the strainer or else get caught in the oil filter.

naturally it is best to try to prevent as much stuff as possible from droping into the sump.

you could make a shorter dipstick which makes it easy space wise
or put the correct amount of oil in - manufacture a dip stick - dip it - mark it on the dipper - then tap out the old hole bung in a bolt with copper washer - remove again to dip if needed - stock car trick..