Two Oil Dipsticks?

[MercuryMarc]

I picked up a 68 200 six cylinder engine this weekend and plan on fixing it up and eventually placing in my 63 Comet. However there are TWO oil dipsticks on the driver side of the motor - one just ahead of the motor mount and another behind it the coil.
Is this "normal?"
Thanks -
Marc in SF
63 Comet Ragtop
http://mercurycomet.net

 

[addo]

That's for checking the front oil and back oil on a Bactrian sump.

 

[SuperMag]

Lemme guess... one goes through the block, and the other goes through the oil pan?

 

[MustangSix]

Engines cast after 1978 had a provision for the rear sump of a Fox-body, hence the extra hole.

 

[SuperMag]

So MM's motor isn't a '68?

 

[MercuryMarc]

Thanks!
I took another look and the number in the block is "D8BE" so it is a 78 block. The head is "E0BE" so that's an 80, and the exhaust manifold is "C8DE" so it/s from an 68.
So I guess I have the rear sump Fox body 2nd dipstick. Is there any resource for info about this? Thanks again !
Marc in SF
http://MERCURYCOMET.NET

 

[xctasy]

Same with post 1973 Aussie blocks. Second dipstick holder (or in our case, a casting lug) in the same place for Cortina and other rear sump installations. My 1984 block still has it, even though the Cortina had been out of production for 2 years. Hang-over!