Dropped valve in head???

[TWISTER]

Like an idiot I didnt check my hose while changing valve springs and dropped the valve. I cant fish it out through the hole so is it pull the heads time? I assume it is pull off the heads time. What do I need? Head and intake gaskets ? What head gasket? This sucks I should have known better. I did this on 2 other cars and just got in a hurry. I just need part numbers for head gaskets I guess . Thanks

 

[ryan319]

did you try getting it out with a magnet?

 

[XLR8]

A friend of mine did that once - not on a Buick - and spent several hours - maybe 3 - using a couple of magnets and got the valve up. I would try that before you pull the head.

 

[pacecarta]

intake or exhaust and did it drop out of the head?

 

[MSDGN]

That's why I ALWAYS do valve spring replacements with the piston at TDC...if something happens valve can only drop about 1/4"...if valve didn't drop all the way out of the head then stuff some rope in through the spark plug hole and slowly turn motor...should push valve up...

 

[Scott Atk]

As others have said, depends on where the piston was. If it didn't drop completely into the cylinder, you can remove either the header or intake (depending on intake or exhaust valve) and work it back through with an extra long needle nose pliers.

 

[TWISTER]

I am sooo lucky. It was an exhaust valve and after a hour I got it fished back in there. Had to take off alot of crap but better than the alternative. After that I put the cylinder at TDC but the air forces it down. I did the other ones on that side. Now its time for the drivers side. I guess Ill put a wrench on the crank to keep it at TDC. Man do I feel lucky. Thanks for all the help.

 

[MSDGN]

Forgot to add you also need to remove the tranny inspection cover and put some vice grips on both sides of the flywheel to hold the motor in place because yes the air will push the piston down...there may be a better..easier way to hold the motor in place...

 

[charlief1]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/133526-dropped-valve.html
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/ge...-dropped-valve-wont-come-all-way-back-up.html
Just so you know someone else has done it. It happens.

 

[Turbo1dr]

I have done the same thing before. I just turned the crank slowly by hand and the valve came back up.


You can also make a rod with a slight hook at the end. Run it through the spark plug hole and lift up on the valve. Might take some patience but that will work too.


I changed my camshaft before without pulling the intake off. I have roller lifters with the link bars. I just made a small hook at the end of a cloths hanger and run it down the push rod hole to lift up on the lifter about 3/4".

 

[yullose]

Snap-On / Blue Point makes some really strong pocket magnets that are small enough in diameter to drop thru a valve guide. I've already picked up large combination wrenches with them... and it amazes me how strong the little magnets are.

The smaller chrome one in this picture is the one I'm talking about:

 

[TWISTER]

I finally finished it all up last nite at midnight. By the time I painted and cleaned a few of the parts I didnt plan on taking off it took a little longer. 9 hours for a 2-3 hour job. Glad I never thought of paying someone to do it. Ahh lesson learned. Had a hard time with the keepers on the #5 exhaust for some reason. Didnt want to lock in. I started it up this morning and its fine. Thanks again for all the advise.

 

[TURBOPOWERED68]

The magnet does not work on the exhaust valves well at least not on my car

 

[buickruss]

And I thought I was the only one to drop a valve that way