Okay, here are the numbers that I said I would get for you.
The I.D. of the LIM = .750
The OD of the stock EGR tube = .754
The OD of the lower part of Ken'* new EGR tube = .7505 ? or .7507?
The OD of the upper part of Ken'* new EGR tube = .500
The ID of Ken'* new tube is right around .390

The ID of Ken'* sleeve for the UIM is right at .754
The OD of Ken'* sleeve is .812.

My third Ken-Co kit arrived via UPS today, and I will be installing soon, maybe this weekend.
Depending on the condition of the hole in the '98 LaSabre UIM, I suspect I will slightly ream out the hole, to make the .812 sleeve fit easier.

Bill is fixing to mail out to me a sample of his replacement EGR tube, which I will gladly be "test fitting" for him.

I will be taking pictures along the way, and will certainly report my findings. And will try to get some pictures posted to this thread, -will need some help to do that.

Thanks for the numbers, Harry.

So .754 - .500 = .254/2= .127 air gap. The KenCo kit provides a whoppin' .127 air gap and a sleeve to reflect the heat. But the ID of the pipe is down to .390. That'* a whole lot less than GM'* (estimated) .555 with the 5/8" pipe. Or, a 0.119 sq in cross section compared to .242 sq in., about half the flow potential. It is clear that the emphasis is on protecting the upper.

We are talking about gaps about half that size, but still at least as much as GM provides, and with a sleeve, way more protection.

Interesting - that .812 sleeve OD is the 13/16" stock I could not find.

Went out to the garage this morning and got out my tubing cutter. Picked up my thick-wall ring stock tube and cut off a ring pretty as you please. I had thought the stainless would be hard to cut, especially so thick, but it was really easy. It is hard to get an accurate length because of the slop in the tool, but the ends come off square and a ring as small as .375 is no problem. Plus, there is hardly any burr to be removed. I cleaned it up enough in a few minutes with my penknife, to cold press in a tube. The pieces of 5/8" tube I had parted on the lathe for $1/cut were slightly distorted as a result of the clamp of the lathe'* 3-jaw chuck, but the tubing cutter does the ring stock with no distortion. I have some more 5/8" pipe stock coming, so we'll see how that thinner stuff goes with the tubing cutter. If the little things fit OK :?: (Harry has the one I made this morning), we are looking at a pretty cheap and easy home shop solution. With pre-cut rings and tubes in your hands, all you will need to make your own reduced diameter pipe is a vise, a penknife, and maybe a file.

Bill, I'm finding your references to "pen knife" interesting:

Man, if you are "cleaning up burrs" with a pen knife, -it must be made of titanium (-or industrial diamonds, or something,,)

-just a little attempt at humor.

As we speak, my Brother is going downtown to pick up a set of Victor Reintz LIM gaskets, so there is still some possibility of "doin' the trick" this weekend, assuming your parts arrive on Friday. (-and I have not yet "got clearance from the War department", but as far as I know, she doen't have any plans for me for the coming weekend)

Here'* my little pocketknife. It is a Tree brand with a blade by Boker Solingen, some German outfit, I guess. I've had the thing for about 25 years. Holds a pretty good edge. The 304 stainless I am using is not really that hard - in fact, it'* kind of soft and gummy when you try to work it.

What are Victor Reintz gaskets? Better than FelPro? Cost more? Hope the plastic isn't thinner than the .177 on the FelPro, or I'll have to reduce the ring height.

Naw, the Victor gaskets look just like the Fel-Pros, as far as I can see.
The Victors (#MS16191A) are in stock right here in town. I'd have to order the Fel-pro.

(-also, these are the gaskets for the Lower Manifold, not the plenum gasket. -so no concern for the tube/ring.) I plan on re-using the plenum gasket, just like I did on the '02. We'll just have to see what condition it is in. If necessary, I think I can get a new plenum gasket at the local Chevy Dealer. -plus, I have a perfectly good one from my '99 too.

Hey Awesome knife, Dude That one'* a "keeper"

Doh! you did say LIM. Time for coffee.

Reamers came today!

As soon as I get another upper, I'll give it a try and see what happens.

I like the victor gaskets.
They make an excellent MLS head gasket for my Supra found a NAPA.

Bill, got your tube yesterday-that was fast! It looks good and mikes out OK, too.


Could you please PM me your address, and I'll get payment out to you?

Still waiting for someone to send me a UIM so I can try out the new reamers. C'mon, youse guys, I'm paying postage! :(