why do they make valve stem retainers so small??
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
why do they make valve stem retainers so small?? Okay, so I was upgrading my valve springs, and when I went to put the retainer back, I bumped my hand on the gas shock that holds the hood up, and lost the sucker...careless, I know. Anyway, I don't know where the hell it went....NO idea. Worst-case scenario, I guess it could've fallen into the open valve cover. If this was the case, where would/could it have landed within the motor? What is the worst thing that could happen with it in there? I did this during a cam swap, and probably don't have the tools/machinery/know-how to remove the heads and search further. Suggestions?????
Well, they are small probably for the reason of assisting in making a lighter weight component in the top end. I would keep looking around. If it made it into the head then you will know after you button it up and possibly trash the motor after a moment of running. It could have blocked an oil passage at minimum leading to a starved component in either the top or bottom end. Or it will make its way into the rotating assembly and the rest is history. Sucks to hear of that happening, but my advice is to take a break and just go close your eyes for a few minutes then come back and continue searching. Check on the top of the stock K-member.
Steel or titanium? If steel, sometimes a magnet will help. I would not run the motor until you find this. How much of the motor is open (what parts were off when this happened)?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
All I have off are the valve covers and timing cover/water pump. I wasn't near the front, so I don't believe it went up there. It was the stock steel one. Thing is just so damn small! I was jk about why they make them so small, just having troubles finding it.
You might want to check with a powerful light around the head bolts. When I swapped heads I found one next to a head bolt form a spring swap some 9 months earlier. Small pen magnet is your friend also.
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It probably didn't land in the head, but it is possible. I find that F bodies are terrible for keeping small parts that were dropped. Lots of places for it to hide.
In order to find it, you have to think like a valve keeper. Check were you dropped it, and look which direction it may have bouced.You may get lucky with a flex magnet.
In order to find it, you have to think like a valve keeper. Check were you dropped it, and look which direction it may have bouced.You may get lucky with a flex magnet.
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That was what I was assuming you were talking about. Otherwise a retainer is the size of a $0.50 piece! Glad you got it running. So where did it end up? Center of the car underneath the output shaft? lol
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
Yes, we turned out lucky as hell...before I was about to bolt the valve cover back on and say **** it, I decided to snake my magnet back into a crevis or two again, and heard "wha-tink!". It was quite the relief. Below is the final result (untuned).
http://www.youtube.com/user/03bamaGT.../1/B6nyDjXnCI0
http://www.youtube.com/user/03bamaGT.../1/B6nyDjXnCI0
