One more thing about the dip stick, the one that came in it had a slight bend in the tip.....little ski tip. Replacement was straight. When inserting new stick in the tube, as it left the tube to enter the block, it hit something solid. Would go no further. But after bending in the little ski tip, it will now pass on down. That could mean something is out of alignment down there, but not knowing how it looks, hard to say.
BTW, this came with a handful of spare parts. New dip stick, a carb kit that didn't match the carb, 4 or 5 brass core plugs, plus a set of oil pan gaskets. So the problems I'm finding were known.
Plus this is a seasonal use item. When it was time to use, it got used heavy....15 hour days for a month or so. When something broke down, it had to be patched up and running ASAP. Once the season was over, it got parked. The last time it was parked it was for good. That kind of maintenance schedule isn't conducive to a reliable machine. I have found at least 3 bundles of baling wire hanging on this......and places where they used it!