ChickenLover

Well, my new headgaskets and bolts finally got delivered today and while putting it all back together, a valve cover bolt magically jumped out of my fingers and went down the head. While trying to retrieve it with the retractable claw, I heard it drop again. It sounded deep. Well past where the head meets the block. Where did it go, and how do it get it out? I suppose there is no chance that it just harmlessly droped down into the oil pan... I have not removed the head again in an attempt to find the bolt. I have a feeling I won't be able to reach it with the head off and don't really want to pay for new head bolts unless I have to. Needless to say, I am pissed!

dwh91102

not good thats your oil passage, not sure if it would make it all the way to the oil pan, but if it did you may be able to use a magnet and get it to the oil drain plug, i think it will fit through the hole if not your gonna have to take off your oil pan, if it made it that far

ChickenLover

Good idea with the magnet. However, with my luck I doubt it made it all the way down. Is that, by any chance, the return passage way? Let's hope so. What kind of trouble would I be asking for by leaving the little bastard in there? I really don't know how to get it out. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have to pull the engine to take the oil pan off?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

I'd consult an EXPERIENCED local mechanic...no doubt they've been there before in their experience and can give you some real time advice cause that sounds like something you don't want to mess up on anymore than it already is...good luck and keep us posted as to how you get it out...

dwh91102

don't start the motor with it in there, and no to pull the pan take the motor mount bolts out and lift the motor up, and you will have to take of the braces from the block to the bell housing

myexcaliber2000

well first off it is a really bad idea to leave it there. second i would unbolt the oil pan and shake it/move it around to hear if the bolt made it that far. if it did no problem u can use the magnet idea to move it to the drain plug. If it didn't make it that far I would use a magnet pen and stick it down the hole and see if you can manage to get it. other than that it is gonna be a lot of work to get it out. Hope all goes well.

wrenchmonster

Hey CL, I liked your old picture better for the record. Anyway, yeah, tool trucks sell all sorts of magnets with different sized heads and strengths and different lengths and different types of extensions. I'd personally use my small 1/4 magnet with moldable flexible wire extension and do some fishing.

You might be able to find an exploded view or cut away picture that would reveal to you where exactly that passageway goes. Other than that you might want to see if you can borrow a bore scope. This would allow you to actually look down into the passageway via a fiberoptic lead with light. Either way, it's gotta come out.

Good Luck.

-Wrench

ChickenLover

Ughh.. Those are words nobody ever wants to hear. I will pull the oil pan tomorrow and see what I can see. I tried sending my claw down there but it got hung up on something, so I have my doubts about fishing. I have a feeling the bolt is hung up on the oil pan baffle plate. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for the advice.

MTL_4runner

Sadly I have to agree. I would work on it until I got the bolt out.
You don't want all that hard rebuild work to go to waste.

dwh91102

chicken any luck???????????

ChickenLover

I went down to Harbor Freight and picked up a few more magnets. I tried fishing down through the head with no luck. Then I tried fishing through the drain plug below... No luck. I tried to use the heavy magnet in hopes that that the bolt was in the oil pan.. NO luck. I decided to remove the head and fish straight into the block.. Nothing. I cramed myself into the engine compartment with a flashlight for a closer look. I noticed the crank was in a position that wouldn't let the magnet deep enough into the bowels.

So I rotated the engine a little until a gap opened up. I rigged a magnet on to the end of a coat hanger so I could really get it flexing around in there.. Nothing. I was at the end of my patience and ready to give up. I decided to stick the straight magnet down there one more time. I brought it up slowly and ˟˟˟˟˟ my pants a little when I saw what was on the end of it.









I couldn't believe it. But now I have to go buy new head bolts for that side. Oh well, at least I got that little bastard outta there. Thanks for all the input guys.

jimbo74

you ca nreuse the stock headbolts if you properly clean the threads out and properly clean the bolts off, i did on my 22r and have since gone to retorque them with no problems @ all....

dwh91102

good job chicken lover, glad to hear

sampson

right on man, glad to hear it worked out for you

myexcaliber2000

nice to know you got it out. Yeah i reused my headbolts w/ no prob at all and i am bored 40 over too. That is jus something you can do but dont need to do.

Glenn

Nice going CL. Glad to hear you got the bolt out without having to take the oil pan off.

wrenchmonster

Good work CL. I have to wonder what the other bits sticking to your magnet are though????

-Wrench