while taking off the left bank rocker cover i hit the same trouble as every one else,

namely , the oil dipstick tube is fastened to the lower 10mm fixing bolt, this has a 7mm nut holding the dipstick tube bracket to the engine, and removal is required to take out the 10mm cam cover bolt

BUT , you have to remove the dipstick way down in the engine bay , a difficult and troublesome operation,

this is my modification to facilitate removal with minimum damage and effort ,

as can be seen in the picture below, the mounting is to the right of the tube, whilst in place, but moved to enable me to work on it , i took my dremel drill and removed the loop to the right , this created a 'C' shape to the bracket which allows it to be pulled away from the stud allowing the rest of the work to continue,


this has to be done with the left bank cam cover still in place, but this is a good thing as no metal fillings went anywhere near the insides of the engine!!!!

re-fixing is a simple operation , i also installed a new washer to hold the bracket once back in place, and looking at the finished job you would never know it had been cut out, as the washer and nut covers it up....

BB

 

been there and done this too many times lol

 

Kung fu grip works well too LOL

Good thinking though. A factory approved mod.....

 

been doing that for years.. but i put one cut in it then fold it up then down when done.

 

Great idea cutting the mounting tab into a "C". Any tips on getting the tube back in? Will putting the dip stick in first help?

 

First, DON"T remove the dipstick from the tube.

Then I get a hook tool and a slide hammer under the metal tab to pull the tube up until is unplugs from the block.

When installing the tube it just follows the dipstick back into the hole (wood block or rubber mallet).

Works EVERY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob gauff

 

Bob's method suits me best! Though I spray a little solvent and let it run down the tube and seep into the "O" ring joint to the block. Loosens it up quite nicely.

I don't like cuttin'. My motto is: When I'm done, you can't tell I've been there, except for witness marks on the bolts.

My two cents......