How does this happen?! Washer dropped in intake port

patrick · Post by **patrick** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:42 am

Okay, so I'm removing my valley pan and a small washer somehow drops into one of the intake ports (I think). So far, I've lost a magnet (dropped into the heat cross-over) and am still no where close to finding that damned washer!

I tried using a retractable stick type magnet but it's not picking up anything in the intake ports. I've also tried inserting it into the spark plug hole(s), but it's a little too large in diameter. I then held it at the hole and blew compressed air into the intake ports hoping it would move the washer around enough to stick to the magnet, but no luck. Of course, I didn't try it on the next spark plug hole because I figured this was lame.

I'm seriously thinking of removing the head, but have never done this before. How much of a pain in the ass is this, and I guess I will need a new head gasket at the minimum. I'm seriously thinking of going with 440 Source's Stealth heads while I have it torn apart, but $$$ is always a factor. I just hate removing the head for something so stupid.

P.S. I presume the magnet stuck somewhere down in the heat crossover hole won't affect anything..?

Smellslike1974 · Post by **Smellslike1974** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:34 am

I think taking that engine completely apart to know for a fact that there are no foreign objects in it is better than starting your engine and everything going...well im sure you know what would happen...

When i was cleaning around my engine i had stuff on top of it,and with no manifold or distributor,and hunk of pipe my dad cut for spacers when we mounted the engine fell inside the distributer hole,stayed right on the gears,i carefully go it out.

fourforty6pac · Post by **fourforty6pac** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:45 pm

I wouldn't take a chance, you might as well tear both heads off and get a valve job while your at it. You could even port the heads and gain some performance and not have to spend big bucks on those heads. None of this is too hard to accomplish if you are mechanically inclined. A FSM would be a great help but it could be done with the help of a Haynes or Chilton. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say this is about a 4 or a 5 in difficultly. It can be done with good basic hand tools. A torque wrench is necessary. Good Luck.

rr6pak · Post by **rr6pak** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:39 pm

fourforty6pac wrote:I wouldn't take a chance, you might as well tear both heads off and get a valve job while your at it. You could even port the heads and gain some performance and not have to spend big bucks on those heads. None of this is too hard to accomplish if you are mechanically inclined. A FSM would be a great help but it could be done with the help of a Haynes or Chilton. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say this is about a 4 or a 5 in difficultly. It can be done with good basic hand tools. A torque wrench is necessary. Good Luck.

...I agree, especially the torque wrench which can be rented at most auto parts stores.

patrick · Post by **patrick** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:56 pm

Are you serious? Of course I own a torque wrench. I'm so anal, I even torque my thermostat housing bolts! It's a Husky from Home Depot, since I heard Husky bought out the old Craftsman tooling, which of course used to be the shiznit, but is now made in China. So, yeah, I have a nice torque wrench now. I mean, it's no Snap-On, but what is?

So anyway, what you're saying is, the job isn't too tedious? I've installed intakes before, carburetors before, water pumps, radiators, but never really tore into the top-end of an engine really. I imagine it's just removing the bolts, buying a new head gasket, and resealing, right?

I don't know if I trust myself to pocket port anything. I might just leave it alone; although I really want to lose some weight (and gain flow) with the Stealth heads. Plus, I want to upgrade the cam soon anyway.

rr6pak · Post by **rr6pak** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:44 pm

patrick wrote:Are you serious? Of course I own a torque wrench. I'm so anal, I even torque my thermostat housing bolts! It's a Husky from Home Depot, since I heard Husky bought out the old Craftsman tooling, which of course used to be the shiznit, but is now made in China. So, yeah, I have a nice torque wrench now. I mean, it's no Snap-On, but what is?

So anyway, what you're saying is, the job isn't too tedious? I've installed intakes before, carburetors before, water pumps, radiators, but never really tore into the top-end of an engine really. I imagine it's just removing the bolts, buying a new head gasket, and resealing, right?

I don't know if I trust myself to pocket port anything. I might just leave it alone; although I really want to lose some weight (and gain flow) with the Stealth heads. Plus, I want to upgrade the cam soon anyway.

Goodnthat you have a t-wrench. Its not a bad job to do. I'd get the porting done by someone that can do it then. Other than that, its a matter of r&r bolts, mainly

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:00 pm

takin heads off isn't a big deal, but just be prepared to do some lifting- i had no idea they were about 75 pounds a piece when i replaced mine lol

BTW, using a torque wrench on thermostat housings is probably a good idea, as i broke mine once

mopar71 · Post by **mopar71** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:51 pm

landon1 wrote:takin heads off isn't a big deal, but just be prepared to do some lifting- i had no idea they were about 75 pounds a piece when i replaced mine lol

BTW, using a torque wrench on thermostat housings is probably a good idea, as i broke mine once

a torque wrench is very important especially when putting the heads back on,also remember to do the torque sequense in the book when reinstalling them. Yes the heads are heavy!!

fourforty6pac · Post by **fourforty6pac** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:02 am

You can get porting templates, they are about 25. A die grinder is all you need to port your heads. Go for it!

71440 gtx · Post by **71440 gtx** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:08 am

you can do it if you need

to do it pm me

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:53 pm

i plan on doing mine eventually - the new heads i have on are "hi-performance" heads i got from indy or somewhere....would really like to have them and the intake ported when i do some other work to the motor

rr6pak · Post by **rr6pak** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:21 pm

fourforty6pac wrote:You can get porting templates, they are about 25. A die grinder is all you need to port your heads. Go for it!

Does anyone know where to get the templates? I have the tools to do the porting but need the templates

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:51 pm

on an engine building challenge i saw, they used some header gaskets as the templates(not the ones to be used)...idk maybe i just assumed they were header gaskets, but that's what they looked like

patrick · Post by **patrick** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:33 pm

I know that next month I'm getting the 440 Source Stealth heads, so I just want to do a quick R&R of the head in question. Do I need a new head gasket, or are they reusable? Also, do I use any sort of sealant?

patrick · Post by **patrick** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:06 pm

Happy 4th, everyone! I removed the right-side head. Please note #6 piston.

Believe me, I checked high and low for that washer all over the frame, ground, engine, etc. before I resorted to magnets, strings, chop sticks, and ultimately, giving in to intuition and facing reality.