Dipstick questions

I managed to find a rear sump pan for my 390, but it looks like the dipstick is broken off right at the pan entrance (driver's side, 1/3rd of the way down the large part of the pan). Does anyone know if the dipstick is soldered into the bulkhead assembly, or is the tube supposed to fit tightly into the pan like a morse taper type of joint? I'm thinking it must be a taper type of connection or else the dipstick would always be attached to the pan, and that would be a royal pain. How about a source for parts for these older models....the local Ford dealer can't look up anything older than 1980 because they no longer have microfiche, and I was hunting for that pan for a couple of months. Is there a different oil filter adapter that will cover the old front dipstick hole, or do I have to whittle a plug for that too? Thanks, Russ.