[Squidward]

If your short block is already assembled, you may have to pull your main cap off to stuff the tube in. The tube goes in skinny end first from the crankcase side until the flared end of the tube bottoms out just inside the pan rail. The main cap usually gets in the way of this install. No big deal to pull one cap, tho, as long as you are careful not to damage a newly exposed main bearing journal with an errant tap of the hammer.

I apologize if this isn't what you are asking. I would post pics, but I pulled the tube out of my other disassembled block so that the shop can compare it with others and find the tube to my other block that just got bored. Concerning the gentle bend, I agree with other posts that it seems to be a matter of exhaust component clearance.