It is pretty cool jamestfl, thanks!
I'm waiting for the "and it works" till I get some input on the oil dipstick tube. It's either bent incorrectly, I'm doing something wrong or as I've done a couple time during this project just being a little girl about it.

 

I tend to be a girl about things at least the first time around, better to be a girl than to break something.

in this case I think you are being a girl. It looks fine to be. Add some grease and shove it in, try twisting while inserting.

if you mess it up, I have a bunch on the shelf, I'll send you another for the cost of shipping.

 

Thanks abran, I manned up a bit and it in installed. I assumed it goes all the way to the small bulged section in the tub approx half way on the tube.
With the dipstick installed in the tube it's making a ticking noise that changes with the revs of the motor. I'm assuming it's rubbing against the crank. I can twist the tube and in different directions and it changes the intensity of the tick but doesn't go away. When I pull the dipstick out a bit (but then the tube bolt hole doesn't line up) the noise goes away.
Only think I can think of is that the tube is bent somehow as it sticks down into the oil sump.

Can I get a picture of someone's correct dipstick (no, not that dipstick)? I've looked at pictures on the internet and at vendors but wan't some comparisons from actual DII owners here.

Thanks all.

 

New dipstick and tube on the way, just leaving the current one pulled out a bit.

So...drumroll....head gasket job done! Thanks to all of you in the forum who chipped in with help, pictures and encouragement not to be a 10 year old girl about some things.

Below is a pic all done, running nice and smooth (an exhaust leak on drivers side flange, gaskets on order).
Lipstick and makeup applied before this photo courtesy of an engine shine spray and my wife's Mary Kay (JK).

Aside from the HG's and other associated necessary gaskets and 2 cases of brake cleaner I also replaced fuel injector filter baskets, o-rings and retainers. Spark plug wires (Kingsworth), Autolite double platinum plugs, removed and put on new wire loom on wiring harness under hood, new radiator hoses and t-stat.
Changed oil with cheap and will change again after a few hundred miles. Same with coolant.
Not a single drop of coolant or oil so far, I've let it get just to temp and cool off a few times and have driven it to full temp to store and back. Wanted to let gaskets and hoses to settle in (probably too **** but that's the way God wired me).

Again, thanks everyone.

 

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Damn dude, looking crazy nice. Congrats.

 

That is one clean engine bay! Great work!

 

Your oil dipstick seems to be in wrong angle in picture, that could explain why you hear the ticking noise when you push it all the way in,
It needs to be very close to the L shape hose, (less than an inch distance on mine)