2nd question about the tappet holder in the pan.

[Bob L.]

The Tappet holder fell down the oil return hole located on the rear head at the front of the engine. I understand that this oil return galley goes straight to the pan with slits at the bottom. I tried to fish out the tool with a magnet with NO success. I cannot get a magnet into the pan either. If the tool fell between the slits, will it land in the pan beneath the the baffle? I'm not completely positive it went down the oil return galley to begin with. I'm only assuming it did because it was so close to the valve I was working on and also the fact that I cannot find it anywhere else in the engine compartment. I borrowed these tools from the dealer so I'll have to replace it, which I'd rather do than pull the pan. I've just about had it with this car!!!!

Just for FYI......1990, titanium with blk interior, slicer wheels w/ new eagles, factory sho plus hood, pioneer all around for tunes, lots of receant work done........dealer plugs/wires, timing sets on both heads, brakes all around, new l/side axle shaft. I love driving the car, just real tired of spending money and time on it. rant

 

[SHO Boom]

Dont worry about the tool, just run the motor if you hear it hitting something then drop the pan and fich it out, if nothing is heard then it is laying harmlessly on the bottom of the pan.

On a side note, you can't really blame the car for this problem, this is 100% your fault not the SHO's.

 

[Bob L.]

On a side note, you can't really blame the car for this problem, this is 100% your fault not the SHO's.

I know I cannot blame the car, I'm just frustrated with the fact that after all I've done to the car, namely trying to figure out that the clacking sound was coming from the valve train, then this happening.....Just reached my boiling point is all. I really appreciate all the info I've managed to get from everyone here though, and for that, A BIG THANKS to everyone!!!!

 

[luigisho]

You know these tools are only $20 direct from OTC right? Just so you don't get screwed on the replacement.

 

[Bob L.]

What is OTC? And how do I find them for tools?

 

[sdpatt]

Why can't you get a magnet to the pan? You don't have to. A magnet should work through the aluminum of the pan since it is non-ferrous. Just slide a strong magnet under the pan to find it. When you locate it, use the magnet to slide it to the deep well of the pan. Then use an extendable parts pick up magnet to fit through the drain hole to retrieve the tappet holder tool.

 

[luigisho]

Scott's suggestion is a good one. If you need a new tappet holder it is OTC part # 303-345. As of my last contact with them about 12-18 months ago they will only allow direct sales of Ford tools. Everyone else must go through a proper distributor. To order direct from OTC 1-800-533-6127. Or check out http://www.otctools.com

<small>[ October 05, 2003, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: luigisho ]</small>

 

[Bob L.]

sdpatt:
Why can't you get a magnet to the pan? You don't have to. A magnet should work through the aluminum of the pan since it is non-ferrous. Just slide a strong magnet under the pan to find it. When you locate it, use the magnet to slide it to the deep well of the pan. Then use an extendable parts pick up magnet to fit through the drain hole to retrieve the tappet holder tool.

I tried with a magnet down thru the oil return as well as the pan. I cannot fit the magnet tool thru the oil plug hole and I also cannot fit my mechanical finger tool either which is as big around as a pencil. The oil hole it fell into has slits at the bottom of the tube and I'm assuming it slid in one of those. I'm not 100% sure it went down it but since I cannot find it anywhere else, that seems to be the only place it could have gone. As long as it went beneath the baffle, I'm not going to worry about it. I just wish I knew for sure that the oil return it went down does exit under the baffle. My book doesn't show it.

 

[Bizzy]

The only holes in the head that I know of that are open & big enough for the tool to fall down and they are the oil return drains. If you cannot get a magnet inside the oil return tube to the oil pan and you can't get the magnet inside the pan from the drain plug area you might consider dropping the oil pan to retrieve the tool. Not an easy job so I would highly suggest trying the other two methods again. You might consider draining the oil from the pan and try rapping on the bottom of it to see if you can hear it rattle inside as well.

You might try using a powerful flashlight and look down into the engine bay to see if you can locate the tool that way. Take the magnet tool and fish around in areas where you can't see. It may pick it up if it's down there. It concerns me though that you don't know exactly where it went. Where was the tool resting when it fell? If you had it anywhere near the intake ports, could it have fallen down inside there??? If so I would highly suggest you probe those areas as well with your magnet. You don't want to start the car if it's fallen down there.