Small/large dilema, ideas?

[88GT17MA]

So I took all my 1.7 rockers off my heads and placed all the hardware for them in the lifter valley and covered them up with my lower intake to put everything away until I would be working on it again. Which was probably not smart. I went to put the rockers back on and noticed I was missing one of my little allen headed poly locks (which I always keep threaded into the nuts). The worst part is I dont kow if it fell into the engine through a small hole in the lifter valley or if its on the ground somewhere (which doesnt seem to be the answer since I've looked forever.)

I JUST put my oil pan on with new pump and pickup with a felpro rubber 1 piece gasket. If I pull the pan now, to look for this thing, will I be able to use this rubber gasket again?

Also what are the chances that this little piece got stuck into the rotating assembly? It most likely will fall to the bottom of the pan if it got in there at all correct?

Thanks alot guys, man this sucks, I was going to drop the engine in this weekend.

 

[OL' WHITEY]

You'll probably find it in the last place you'll look. Not sure about re-using the gasket. I know I wouldn't. That really bites the big one. It's a hard lesson learned. Good luck!

 

[vristang]

I would pull the pan now while it is out of the car. The rubber gaskets can be reused, that is what they were designed for. That is unless you still used silicone on it. I pulled my pan 3 times or more before the gasket gave up the ghost. I used it one last time with silicone to make sure it would not leak.

It is always better to take the time to double check and make sure you did the job right the first time.

The lazy man will put forth more effort to do the job right the first time, because he does not want to do the same job twice.

Good Luck

 

[90Notch]

Buy some really really cheap oil and pour it through the engine where you think it might have fallen to see if it flushes it out. I'd also buy one of those magnetic telescopic tools and stick down the lifter vallet holes. As much as it sucks I would not run the motor without finding that piece even if it means tearing into motor. At a minimum I would pull the oil pan to see if it's there.

 

[88GT17MA]

Thanks guys, ya Im not really sure its even in there, but my plan was to take apart the engine until I find it regardless, just to make sure that wherever it is, it isnt in the there.

Thats what i wanted to hear about the gasket, I thought you could re-use the rubber ones......


anyone know where I can get just ONE little poly lock, lol, cuz if it isnt in there, im going to need another one most likely.

 

[tjm73]

If I pull the pan now, to look for this thing, will I be able to use this rubber gasket again?

If you pull the pan? No no. You must pull the pan and be sure it is not in the pan or someplace else in the internals of the engine.

 

[vristang]

Thanks guys, ya Im not really sure its even in there, but my plan was to take apart the engine until I find it regardless, just to make sure that wherever it is, it isnt in the there.

Thats what i wanted to hear about the gasket, I thought you could re-use the rubber ones......


anyone know where I can get just ONE little poly lock, lol, cuz if it isnt in there, im going to need another one most likely.

To make sure you don't end up with some cheapo alloy, I would call up the manufacturer of the rockers. I am sure you are not the first one to misplace one of those small parts.

But you know that as soon as you order the new one, you will find the lost one stuck to the bottom of your boot.