1921 Dodge brothers engine oil level indication

[Don Jr.]

Hi, Went out today and installed 5 quarts of oil in the engine. The rod to indicate the level barley came off the bottom. I pulled up on the rod and it came up easily but settled right back to the bottom. I made sure the engine is level and then added another 1/2 quart of oil. Again the rod barley moved off of the bottom. When I had the motor apart I made sure the float was intact so that cannot be the problem. I measured the rod fully extended from the top of it to where it enters the block. I have 2 1/2 inches of rod. Could it be someone trimmed the end of the rod short and I am not getting the level between the 2 marks on the side of the cylinder bores correctly or do i need to add more oil??  Thanks for any info, Don.

[Mattml430]

Mine would float for about 2 seconds and then sink. 

I also checked it was ok when the sump was off. Mine wasn’t full of oil or anything when I pulled it out so I thought it to be fine.