Could it be an oil tube used for fill only with a dipstick located on the other side lower on the block? Do you have pictures on both sides that are lower on the block to see if there are blank-off plates that could be where another dipstick could have resided? Maybe someone changed the original dipstick location and installed a later generation dipstick in an older engine after the balance gears were removed? Just picking at straws not knowing what it will uncover!
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