another-user

well, i absolutely ****ed up this evening. i was putting the last few little pieces on the motor, and my wrench slipped, the oil pressure plug popped off, flew behind the paper towel and tinfoil i had laying in the lifter valley, and made its way somewhere between the cam and the crank.

i pulled the oil pan off and i still cant find the damned little thing.

if it makes any difference, it went down the drivers side very rear hole. (pretty sure at least, that thing went flying) ive stuck my fingers down there, looked all over with a light, and even flipped the motor over and pulled the oil pan off. i cant see it, at all.

so now what? can i gently turn the motor over by hand and hope it shows up or falls out?

scottyp99

The only thing that I can think of that I would worry about here, is scratching a cam lobe. I would think that if you moved the crank gently, you probably won't do any harm.


Scott

Timsride

I would also look around on the floor as I have dropped many things and watched them fall and think I know exactly where it was but always found it somewhere else.

another-user

got it, and it did drop down in the motor. i turned the motor over by hand, and found the little guy sitting in one of the balance holes in the crank.

mds3013

Hitting a balance hole is a one in a million shot. Glad you found it. mike...

Vette5.5

One thing may help for the next time is an extendable retrieval magnet. I checked the one I have, and it's made by a company called Carica. Dont know what kind of magnets in it, but this thing picks up a 2 foot pipe wrench. Also has a retractible magnet sleeve, so it wont stick to the sides of things. Checked around, and found Betty Mills Co. She has a large assortment of this brand, including a flexible one.

SmokedTires

Thats what I was going to suggest. Glad you found and retrieved OK.

cardo0

I think u have enough posts now to write a book on changing heads. Well at least u ask for help before u get into trouble. I have seen a timing belt change (non-corvette) turn into a complete overhaul before.

Hope your story has a happy ending for us and please post your results,
cardo0

another-user

lets just say that the last motor overhaul i worked included the phrase "well, whats the worst that could happen?" ... that little sunbird never ran again.

Vette5.5

While getting off topic, what you're talking about in an overhead cam interference design engine. If the timing belt breaks with some valves open, a piston will hit, and the motors trash. Never heard of this happening in a Chevy SB with small timing chain set though.