Hi all, today I was trying to get my pushrod length correct and torqued down a rocker with the nut going through it the wrong way, this caused it to tighten down off centre and broke a small piece of aluminium of the edges of the rocker rail as in photo. Unfortunately I did it twice before I realised what I was doing and I strongly suspect that the first piece broken off has gone inside my new engine.

A couple of questions if I pull it all to peices can I re used the TTY head bolts on the head and the graphite gasket on the one head I fully torqued down.?

This will be the third time I've had the sump off with my new build so I'll probably have to buy a new sump gasket as well. And sadly I have to do all this and I'm not even sure I will find the tiny piece or that it is even in the engine. Im just guessing it is in there because I can't find it anywhere else? Any thoughts appreciated.

 

The head gaskets area one-time-use. They are designed to be "crushed" when installed, so you will need a new one. Reusing the head bolts has been a topic of discussion here before. Most people recommend replacing the TTY bolts. Some people believe you can reuse them. I would feel better about my build if I had fresh new TTY bolts.

It's possible that the piece of metal just fell down into an oil passage, and is still in the head. Have you checked the bolt holes inside the head? That's another area it could get trapped.

 

Agreed.

However, I don't think that piece is going to cause any trouble if you just leave it in there; it'll lay in the valve cover somewhere, or maybe go through a drainback hole and find its way to the sump, and will lay in there. It might MAYBE get stuck in the pickup screen but probably not even that. I don't think I'd bother with it if it was mine.

I might replace the stand though, depending on how munged it got by the rocker trunnion piece.

 

take a blow gun and blow all around the head bolts and valve springs, ive dropped washers in there before when installing head bolts (ARP with washers) and there are plenty of places for things to get stuck. If you dont find it up top maybe pop the oil pan off since its on the stand but like said before I wouldnt spend much time on it cause its probably not going to hurt anything.

 

TTY bolts are a one time use deal. Replace them.

 

Thanks this engine has now cost me $7500 but I'm thinking of leaving the metal in there like was suggested seems to be more trouble than its worth. Ive purchased new rails.

 

$7500 motor and its more trouble than its worth to find it and drop the pan?

 

It may be a good idea?

 

Yeah I don't think the piece of metal will cause any trouble. I've lost a handful of sockets in my Camaro (although not in the engine) while working on it, and I lost a washer in the 350 of my 73 Nova while the intake manifold was off. Haven't had any problems with either car and I'm sure the washer is at the bottom of the Nova's oil pan. Stuff happens.

 

If youve got the money and have plenty of free time if the motor gets trashed to rebuilt it then sure leave it as-is. Otherwise it seems like it's worth ensuring it doesn't potentially cause damage.

 

Ok thanks

 

I pulled the sump off, I can't find it, I've blow it with air. At least I've had a good look.

 

It’s probably not even in there then lol.

But wow... $7500!!!!! I hope it’s built with the best of the best!

Its probably got stuck on the bottom of your shoe or something lol

 

No brainer... Hold yourself to a high standard and find it. Especially since the engine is on the stand.

 

Im not even sure it went it engine, just assumed it did, I turned it upside down and sprayed out holes with air, then took sump off through searched through all rotating parts, not able to find it. Its actually more than $7500 now and its just a stock rebuild with upgraded valve train and cam and oil pump, I'm in Tasmania.

 

You may have already done what I'm going to suggest..If it still laying up in the head your going to prime the engine before start away, so I would power lube it get some oil following under a little pressure to encourage it to drop down to the pan. You may have to do it several times !

 

Windage tray on these LS engines catches a lot of debris. That is if it made it by the lifter trays.

 

Thanks that sounds like a good idea, I don't want it sitting on top of a lifter, so far it's not, I'm putting in engine today.

When I changed cam last I plummed a clear hose in block near oil pump topped up the hose with oil and blew in the oil with a lung full of air, was slow but worked. This time I have the pump with as much STP engine treatment in it as I could get in there before I fitted it, it seals the pump better and helps pull it through.

 

When your ready to put something on and bolt it down just stop and double check yourself first. If you'll get into a habit of doing this and avoid distractions mistakes can be minimized.

 

Yes I'll have to be careful, today I bled my clutch for first time, I didn't have any clutch line connected, needless to say it wasn't successful, finally worked my way through it.

Its a heavy five puck ceramic clutch, it's going to be brutal on my leg