help, dropped bolt

[barryv]

hi, can someone tell me if i have a big problem. i was doing a 5 minute repair by installing  a choke block off plate on my 383 engine.one of the bolts fell into manifold and evidently went into exhaust port of head . i took manifold off and tried vacuming bolt out but could not get it,never mind see it or touch  it. will it just go into my exhaust pipe or what do i have to do ,thanks

[72cudamaan]

Yes, you have a problem. Sledge is right. Use a pencil magnet to retrieve it. But dont crank or start the engine until you have it out of wherever it is.

Patience has to be on your side to avoid major problems.

[barryv]

the bolt i used doesnt stick to a magnet. when i pulled intake . i couldnt see the bolt. were do they sell that long magnet just in case it sticks. i thought my rig job with the vacum would work cause i had a long tube in the head but that didnt work. maybe ill try next weekend so i can cool off before i jump. nothing like a 5 minute job turning into a fiasco

[moparmaniac59]

If the bolt is non-magnetic, try using a wire (like a coat hanger) with a small ball of duct tape on the end (the stickier the better) to retrieve it. Just make sure it's well secured to the hanger. You can also pick up a cheap flexible mechanical finger tool from Northern Tool or Harbor Freight for a couple of bucks that you may be able to use. Good luck. keep us posted!

                                           Matt B.

[barryv]

i will try next weekend with a vacum and long hoses one more time ill push it out of garage were i can see better. if vacum trick doesnt work i think it will be a long weekend.thanks

[femtnmax]

My brother dropped a washer down the intake manifold when he was swapping carb base gaskets.  He thought the washer fell to the ground, not down into the engine.  Long story short when he started the engine the washer embedded itself into the top of the piston, cracking it all to pieces. 
The engine was totaled, he could not afford a used one, and sold the car for next to nothing.
Moral of the story is take as much time as it takes to correctly remove the bolt your searching for, before rotating the crankshaft or starting the engine as has been recommended.

[aris_unlimited]

When I was working on my 350z last year (before I got rid of it obviously) I dropped a bolt down into the oil filler hole and of course it slid down into areas unknown lol. I was freaking out for about a good 15 minutes before I remembered that I had a long handled magnet. Took me about 10 minutes to fish it out......the sigh of relief was immense lol.

[ntstlgl1970]

Did it go inside the intake manifold or into the "horseshoe" that surrounds the exhaust crossover? It sounds like it's in the horsehoe. If it's in the horseshoe, then don't worry about it. It doesn't go anywhere. Or buy some forceps (locking long skinny needle nose looking pliers) at harbor freight they have really long (maybe 8-10") for under 5 bucks if you really want it out of there.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I've dropped more than a few things into that horseshoe.   

[dodj]

If the bolt is non-magnetic, try using a wire (like a coat hanger) with a small ball of duct tape on the end (the stickier the better) to retrieve it. Just make sure it's well secured to the hanger.

I've had success with duct-seal on the end of a coat hanger wire to retrieve 'little bits'. It's a soft sticky putty.

[shadango]

nothing like a 5 minute job turning into a fiasco

LOL  Dont feel too bad....Did you see my thread where I forgot about a red shop rag I left in the intake manifold?  I put that rag in there to prevent this sort of thing.....had a brain fart and put the carb back on with the rag in there.....

That job took a while to straighten out and a ton of worry.....all of which could have been saved by a 2 second action of removing the rage BEFORE bolting the carb on...LOL

Good luck...you'll be ok...just take your time and think it through.

[barryv]

well, i went fishing today for a dropped bolt. i got some bites with a long telescopic magnet ,but no luck . vacum trick didnt work either. removed head and found the bolt. now i get to but everything back. thanks for all the replies