Hi Ed,  
I also ordered one of those flexible dipstick kits the same day you did based on the positive endorsement from Stuart MacMillan and getting tired of always having to remove cargo and engine deck lid to check the oil.  (I have a Subie 2.2).
I was and still am a little mystified by it.  Best conclusion I could come up with is that the black rubber hose on the "engine" side of the dipstick kit is only there for protection during shipping (to protect the o-rings and all).  The teflon tube (the actual "dipstick" itself, which works by vacuum action by placing your thumb over the top when you withdraw it to check oil) does indeed protrude about 2 inches past the distal o-ring.  And, there are 2 scribe marks around the circumference, presumably the High and Low.
Stuart?  Can you de-mystify this thing?

Rich
San Diego

      From: Edward V Barger <edvbarger@MAC.COM>
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
 Sent: Monday, November 6, 2017 3:42 PM
 Subject: Small car dip stick kit for Subie engine
   
HI  

I received the Small Car dip stick kit for the Subie engine in my 87  

On checking it out noticed that the actual dip stick does not reach all the way down the rubber tube  

It appears that the rubber hose part on the end would have to be submitted in the oil pan several inches to be able to read the oil level 

It how it works or should the actual dip stick reach past the rubber tube ?

ed

Edward V Barger
edvbarger@mac.com
310 922 6251