Another bolt dropper.

[Brer Rabbit]

A friend of mine bought a pontiac 400 motor from me and when he attempted to install the fuel pump block off plate on he dropped a bolt right thru the hole and heard it go all the way down thru the cover and into the oil pan. I suggested a few ideas on how to get it out without pulling the motor and removing the pan, but I figured I would ask on here for ideas. So far he has been able to move the bolt pretty far forward using a big magnet that he slid along the outside of the pan. Thanx.

 

[RUQWKNF]

I was just going to say, why not use a big magnet from an old 6x9 speaker?

Short of whipping up some sort of McGuiver contraption, say a piece of vacume hose with a magnet duct taped to one end, I'd probably say drop the pan down and reach in and grab it.

Good luck


Patrick

 

[jhanson1750]

What size bolt and what size drain hole in the pan? If it will fit keep at it IF not drop the pan and be done with it. Jon Hanson

 

[klrv6]

I had an Olds rocket 350 that had 17 lifters in it. I was in high school and didn't have time to pull the pan out after doing a cam swap and dropping a lifter The lifter fell into the bottom of the pan and never moved from there. I should have done everything I had to get it out but didn't. Never a problem with it though. Just drop the pan and reach in there and get it out. Be a great time to clean the pan too.

 

[Brer Rabbit]

Pan..

I just put the pan on last week...The motor has never been fired up yet. I just dont want to have to prep all the surfaces again and have the kid buy a new pan gasket since I siliconed the block and pan a lil bit. If we dont get it out this weekend, I guess Ill just pull the motor again and clean it up the right way. I was hoping someone knew of the perfect tool.

 

[RUQWKNF]

What Snap On or Matco needs to come up with, is a 4 prong claw style tool that has a flexible shaft and a strong magnet. I bet they'd sell the stew out of em.
I've only been able to find 3 prong pickup tools, or pen magnets. Never one with both features.
Nothing worse than dropping a bolt into never never land.


Patrick

 

[regal-nut]

just find a small but strong magniet and put it in the 3 jaw macanical fingers and send it in and presto with a time u might get it. I did it like that with stuff that had to be retrived from a sink drain. it worked for me

 

[BandAid]

Just leave the magnet on the pan holding the bolt in place..................

 

[GNVYUS 1]

I don't remember what the stock drain even looks like since switching to the preluber drain on my 69 but why not drain it, take a big magnet and drag it across the pan to the drain hole and see if it will come out through it.

 

[ijames]

Harbor Freight (Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices) sells a few low cost borescopes, in the $250-400 range. At least one has a magnet accessory for picking up stuff. I've also seen some cheaper borescopes on ebay - maybe this is a good excuse to buy a new toy, er, tool -)).

 

[psycho6cyl]

In the garage we have a magnet w a flexible shaft.. VEry similar to the claw but w a magnet.. Try and get on of those.. Should work.. Hell try tapping the pan to jump it around/move it.. Take a gun and shoot another hole in the man.... lollol Anything but pull the pan.. I do ike the idea of leaving magnet there. And you willl clean up your oil @ the same time.. Good luck..

 

[Junior Samples]

I keep a speaker magnet on the bottom of my pan at all times, Have always done so with every car ive owned.