1990 K3500 7.4 dip stick tube?

[LDR812]

I know this isn't exactly the right forum for this but lots of good help here so maybe someone can respond. I bought a old city dump truck - 1990 K3500 with a 454 and turbo 400. It needed exhuast manifold gaskets so I changed them with great success - except I mangled the dip stick tube. It is a 2 piece which snakes between the manifold and block on the passenger side. The tube is 2 pieces and one goes in the block under the manifold and the 2nd piece inserts into that one from the top of the manifold. All I can find online for a replacement look to be one piece and I an not sure if I can bend / route it to get installed etc. Any idea how to find something that is 2 piece like the OEM? I am considering getting a aftermarket one that has a flexiable material for the tube, but know it is hard to beat the original design, mounting points etc.

 

[John0829]

Your 1990 should not be that much different than my 1992, I just replaced the manifold gasket. It has the one piece dipstick tube and I would suggest going to the one piece. They are easy to install from the top after the manifold is in place and mostly bolted up. The one piece is held in place with one of the manifold bolts. I can take some pics if that would help you see how it goes in.

 

[LDR812]

 

[John0829]

That looks just like mine.

 

[LDR812]

Looks about the same - is that the OEM dipstick or a aftermarket one?

 

[John0829]

Mine is OEM and not to hard to get into place as long as you only lightly snug the bolts and of course leave out the correct one that anchors the tube... which I didn't