I ought to replace the stator tube so the trafficator stops rotating when the wheel turns. This is the two piece stator. Any suggestions on getting the long stator tube out and back easily?

Are you sure you need to remove the stator tube? How much of the tube is extending out of the steering box?

I guess what I'm suggesting is that you reposition the switch and adjust the lower tube.

It's been a long time but I remember the tubes being able to be re bent back into shape if you remove them both.

I'm sure the stator needs to be pulled. The long stator has two notches cut in it which have spread apart and if typical, may have cracked. Even if it can be salvaged, it has to come out. I can't even see it from the steering wheel. Obviously, it could be pulled from the steering box but that may involve moving the grill. Will be fun to put back.

How do you get it out easy way?

I would attempt to get it out from the steering wheel end first...

Try putting enough tape on the wires so that they cannot easily slip through the stator tube (but not so much that they can't pass through the hollow of the column). Then slowly pull it into the cockpit. You'll have to have the top down, but that's easier than to r/r the grill.

That was my situation as well, I resorted to using a piece of copper tube that the gas fitters use over the pond to feed from the home gas fire from the main supply pipe, it measures around 5-7mm ish and is just right for bending and shoving it up the bottom end of the steering column to push the ststor tube out, it straightens itself out up the tube as you push and you can rebend it again when pulling it out. Failing that you could try pushing a long thin wire up from the bottom so that it comes out of the top at the steering wheel then fix something to the bottom to jamb into the stator tube with a wooden plug and you can pull it up, have not tried it myself, but it should work.

Best of luck

Bob