1937 Flathead lost bolt... Help!

[Goodguy65]

plugs are all in thankfully

[Ggmac]

Get a $12 inspection scope and start looking . I would see if the bolt , even though stainless, is magnetic . I'm betting it is slightly at least .

[Goodguy65]

Originally Posted by Ggmac

Get a $12 inspection scope and start looking . I would see if the bolt , even though stainless, is magnetic . I'm betting it is slightly at least .

that was the next step..they have ones that have a light at the end beside the camera that hooks up to your phone..who knew!

[Jack E/NJ]

>>>The 2 crankcase breather holes on either side of the fuel pump rod bushing are just the right size for the bolt to enter.>>>


Probably sitting in the bottom of the pan. Should be OK. Next time you change the oil, maybe fish around the bottom with a coat hanger. Jack E/NJ

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

>>>The 2 crankcase breather holes on either side of the fuel pump rod bushing are just the right size for the bolt to enter.>>>

Probably sitting in the bottom of the pan. Should be OK. Next time you change the oil, maybe fish around the bottom with a coat hanger. Jack E/NJ

From OP > "I have removed the entire intake assembly as well as the oil pan"

[Goodguy65]

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Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

>>>The 2 crankcase breather holes on either side of the fuel pump rod bushing are just the right size for the bolt to enter.>>>


Probably sitting in the bottom of the pan. Should be OK. Next time you change the oil, maybe fish around the bottom with a coat hanger. Jack E/NJ

pan has been removed and no bolt...you are correct about the breather holes they are a perfect fit for the bolt size.

the only thing I can ascertain from all the info I have received is it either is NOT in the block and I am hallucinating or it caught up on top of the cam someplace.which I cannot see from the top or the bottom of the open engine.

[Lanny]

Have you rotated the engine over, slowly by hand of coarse, to
see if it might get dislodged and fall down...








.

[leon bee]

I like how almost every one of us has had similar happen. And we're all hoping you find that bolt!

[B-O-B]

Lanny;
quote["I have very cautiously manually turned the crank and nothing fell out".] Goodguy65

[Lanny]

Sometimes it helps to put a pipe wrench on it...





.

[Ggmac]

Originally Posted by Goodguy65

pan has been removed and no bolt...you are correct about the breather holes they are a perfect fit for the bolt size.

the only thing I can ascertain from all the info I have received is it either is NOT in the block and I am hallucinating or it caught up on top of the cam someplace.which I cannot see from the top or the bottom of the open engine.

Can you fabricate a blow gun with 1/4" brake line and bend it to get around some interference, just keep blowing , it should at least make it more visible by blowing oil off it . Hopefully it'll blow it to the ground

[Goodguy65]

I can do that and I will...if I find the time tonight I will see what kind of mess I can create.

I really love the fact that I was so close to pushing the start button after 18 months of work and now this..guess I will chalk it up to what we call " the mockup stage "

[Mart]

The rear wall of the block does have some recesses, in the area below the two oil drain holes at either side of the rear filler tube area. Not saying the bolt is in there, but you just never know.

Can you move the vehicle and then inspect the whole floor area where it was standing?

You need to treat this like a forensic investigation.

I just went out and looked at a block. These areas would really hold a small bolt, they are right below the oil holes in that area.

The oil holes are circled, the arrows point to the recesses and ledges at the back face of the block.



Mart.

[Goodguy65]

great pic Mart! Thanks for that...I have reached up into at least 4 of those recesses after turning the crank out of the way. I will be sure to check the ones closest to the oil holes.
I have scoured the floor as the car is in my lift bay in my shop. never hurts to look again!

[cas3]

if theres any chance it went outside down the bell housing, thats a nice hill that could drop it into the tranny mount and x frame. stuff likes to hide in there i know

[19Fordy]

Carefully examine each valve spring coil.

[terry]

I will ask St Anthony to help you find it.

[richard crow]

have you removed the oil baffle plate in the valve chamber it just snaps over the center pipe check the one in the rear onley will take a min.

[Goodguy65]

Originally Posted by richard crow

have you removed the oil baffle plate in the valve chamber it just snaps over the center pipe check the one in the rear onley will take a min.

This weekend I pulled the baffle plate off..other than a bit of sludge on the underside nothing shiny.

built a flexible fitting for the air compressor and got it up around the cam etc
nothing rattled or came out.

It appears the engine is coming out..wasted enough time looking for this bolt.

[ford38v8]

You've carefully examined and reexamined all the places you really expected to find it...
Now go back and look closely at those most unlikely places that you merely scanned quickly. Odds are that you actually did look right at it without recognizing what you saw!
I know, I'm a big fucking help.