Oh crap- engine turned over w/ bolt stuck in cylinder..

[KingChooser]

I am attempting a head gasket change. Never done one before. Anyway, when pulling bolts off I dropped one down into one of the cylinders via the spark plug hole. I thought, "Crap! Oh well, Im taking off the head anyway, I'll get it out then."

Moving through the steps layed out in Haynes manual, I put cyl. #1 at TDC. Then proceeded on and later stopped at some point for the day. Anyway, I was trying to fall asleep a few hours ago, and all a sudden thought, "CRAP, I turned the engine w/ that bolt in there!" Does anyone know how much room Ive got (height-wise) in the TDC combustion chamber? I wouldnt think that it would be big enough to house that bolt, and I dont even know what shape the chamber has to it. My friend was turning the crank as we tried to get it lined up to TDC and was commenting on how hard it was to turn near TDC, I cant believe it didnt dawn on either one of us ....

Well, I guess I'll find out what the damage is once I actually get the head off. I'm currently on the step where Im supposed to detach everything connected to the intake manifold.

 

[BenieMan]

which cylinder did you drop the bolt into? only cyl 1&4 will be all the way up, but if it's in 2 or 3, there should be enough room for the bolt, never tried it though, so not 100% sure

 

[PRESSURIZED]

Damn man, your slipping. I cant beleive you did not realize that when the crank was hard to turn...I hope you did not do any damage.,

 

[KingChooser]

it was in cyl. #4 unfortunately. yea, I'll see how much damage was done, i guess. I'm hoping that I just made some (small) indentions in the head &/or piston, if anything. If the piston were damaged too much, I'd be in real trouble, i think.

 

[TURFNNSURF]

I think you'll be OK.. if the bolt was small enough to fall through the spark plug opening then i think it will clear the head even at TDC. Keep in mind that there needs to be some clearence for the Valves to open anyway... Just my 2 cents..

Brad

 

[KingChooser]

Originally posted by TURFNNSURF
I think you'll be OK.. if the bolt was small enough to fall through the spark plug opening then i think it will clear the head even at TDC. Keep in mind that there needs to be some clearence for the Valves to open anyway... Just my 2 cents..

Brad

Good, I was hoping to hear somebody say something comforting like this. Does anyone know how in the heck Im supposed to go about removing the lower 5 bolts on the intake manifold. I'm not really sure how to get to them.