Big OOPS! Help Needed

get a donut shaped magnet that would be the same size as the washer. tie a string or fishing line to it and try topside, otherwise pull the sparkplug on the cylinder you think it dropped into and fish it from there.

hope that helps.

 

How about a shop vac?

 

I have a flexible borescope. It can be put down spark plug holes, or any hole larger than 10mm, and you can simply look for it.

I bought the scope from snap on, but it's an australian product, but you may be able to find one locally... ask your wifes gynaecologist if you have to!

To retrieve it, In extreme cases, I have ground a tiny magnet into a "dog bone" shape, twist lockwire around it and make it about 2 ft long, then send it in after it!!

 

Good luck with getting the spacer out.

I don't have any fresh ideas. I have to compliment you guys for creativity in getting things out of an engine. I'd be looking at pulling a head and cussing all the way. Now I know better.

In general terms I plug the intakes anytime I'm working around them to prevent things like this from happening. I usually use a shop rag. Now I think I'll find a correct size ball to use instead.

Bob Wassam

 

Maybe you can use a compresser to blow air in and it will pop out?

Ken

 

The shop vac works surprisingly often. Try it first.

 

The only thing I would add to the shop vac idea is to make sure it (the vac) is cleaned out first.

I'd be sure to make sure the vac was spotless inside so that (1.) you don't have to search through all sorts of other junk to find the spacer and (2.) along the same line to make sure you have the spacer you are looking for.

Good luck it's happened to us all!

 

A couple of thoughts:

1. a small scribe,typically the type found in hardware stores. They are pen sized and usually have a small magnet attached to one end. Push the end into a piece of hose, and it will get into spark plug holes.

2. neck the vacuum down to a smaller size, typically 1/4" (like aquarium hose) and go fishing with that. It may take a few tries to get the hose to get ahold of the side of the piece, but it doesn't take long. That way you don't have to clean the shop vac, and you can see it when you pull the hose out. Make sure you don't overheat the vacuum, as they usually use the air flow to cool the motor. They will easily run for several minutes though.

Both methods work well, I know. Dont ask me how, LOL!

 

Above question... the spark plug holes are 14mm IIRC; a good place to start.

 

Is it steel, or aluminum? I can't remember.

 

What a horrible flash back. I was barely 16, and had just picked up a three duece carb and manifold for my Pontiac GTO. I got the carbs all worked over and set up, and had painted the manifold, but now it was getting dark. In taking off the 4bbl intake I dropped a 5/16 lock washer down an intake port. I spent until 2 am being attacked by mosquitoes trying everything I could think of. Magnets were virtually useless in an iron engine. I tried wads of gum, grease on a cloth wad wrapped in wire, wire hooks, air hose, vacuum, until I threw up my hands. All I needed was this idiot who kept telling me all night long to just fire it up and it would blow out the exhaust. Never listen to idiots. It didnt blow out either, so next day I took off the head and had a nice scratch on the cylinder.

If it actually got past the valve, it will be sitting on top of the piston on the lowest side. But make sure its not resting inside the port sitting on the intake valve. I dont think your valves open much past 8mm, and how big is that spacer? Odds are the valve probably isnt fully open anyway, so its probably hiding in there. Just keep fishing. If you can confirm it fell inside, put the piston at the bottom of the cylinder and go in with a small magnet on a flexible wire through the spark plug hole. It should go right to the bottom and find it. Just keep trying and dont lose patience, youll get it out. Heck, at that angle, it may even work to just put a small telescopic margnet down there, so you have more directional control. My nephew bought me this cheap fiber optic thing that fits on a mini maglight, and I thought it was a joke. But the stupid thing works. I can light up the inside of a cylinder pretty good with it. Good luck man, were all pulling for you.

 

Okay, so where was it? did it go down the intake, or run off and hide somewhere else??

 

Terry:
Do you have any suggestions for others to prevent dropping a spacer into the engine? I am considering removing my plenum for paint.

Anybody's tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

 

To keep from dropping the spacer into the runers, I do it this way:
loosen the mounting nuts, until there is about 1/8" of thread between the nuts, and the runner. This will allow you to push a piece of cardboard, or plastic, 1 3/4"-2"wide by 3" long, between the rubber gasket and the runner (not between the gasket and plenum) . This way, the spacers cannot get out due to the limited spacing, and once the plastic is in place, the runner is blocked off.
Try cutting strips out of an old oil container, cheap, and it works!
HTH

 

Thanks for the input--I will be careful when I do it.

Mark