help, dropped nut into intake - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wlf89 · 04-10-2023, 08:50 PM

02 s10 4.3 figured would get more traffic here.

i dropped the little nut that holds the fuel line hold down clamp into the intake and it shot right thru into the head.

pulled the intake hoping to fish it out with a flexible magnet with no luck. im assuming i will have to take the head off and try and rattle the nut out?

what are the chances the nut could live in there and not cause damage? im guessing it would eventually get down into the valve with my luck.

in the pic i have it circled in 1 of the 2 holes it went into, not that it matters

**Orange71shorty** · 04-10-2023, 09:11 PM

Extendable magnet. If it got past a valve maybe you could pull a plug and retrieve it through the plug hole too

rockyrivermark · 04-10-2023, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange71shorty

Extendable magnet. If it got past a valve maybe you could pull a plug and retrieve it through the plug hole too

That was my first thought.
Good luck

wlf89 · 04-10-2023, 09:38 PM

i tried with 2 magnets that i have with no luck.

Lunnb · 04-10-2023, 09:41 PM

Fat chance but try a shop vac .

RustyPile · 04-10-2023, 09:42 PM

No, the nut, no matter how small, can NOT "live" in there.. Even if you crank the engine over without starting it, severe damage will incur. Fish it out with a magnet through any available "orfice".. As a last resort, remove the head, but you must remove the wayward nut or suffer dire consequences.

ghackett1 · 04-10-2023, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

No, the nut, no matter how small, can NOT "live" in there.. Even if you crank the engine over without starting it, severe damage will incur. Fish it out with a magnet through any available "orfice".. As a last resort, remove the head, but you must remove the wayward nut or suffer dire consequences.

I agree. Vacuum, flexible magnet, whatever is necessary it MUST be removed.

Shortnwide4x4 · 04-10-2023, 10:40 PM

See if you can rent a borescope from your local tool/parts supplier. In addition to being able to see it, they have attachments that have magnets on the end.

wlf89 · 04-10-2023, 10:44 PM

yes sir im heading to autozone first thing in the morning to rent borescope, im hoping that will do it and avoid pulling the head

**68bowtie** · 04-10-2023, 11:37 PM

How about removing the spark plug and pulling the vacuum so it creates a thru current. Or the opposite and use a compressor to blow.

**MikeB** · 04-10-2023, 11:42 PM

In the future:

OR:

Seriously, if it's on top of the piston but you can get to it, try blowing it around with some compressed air. It might end up in a more accessible place.

**Rust_never_sleeps** · 04-11-2023, 12:04 AM

Maybe tape a funnel to your shopvac hose and stick tubing on the end. You might have better luck fishing, cuz it won't attach itself to every ferrous surface like the magnet.

Dead Parrot · 04-11-2023, 12:16 AM

One problem with the magnet is unless that is an aluminum head, almost everything around is magnetic and might keep the magnet from grabbing the nut. Or the nut could be something that is non-magnetic. While you are getting the borescope, get one of those flexible pickup tools with the three fingers that expand and contract as you push on the other end. It won't care what the nut is made of.

Also, 2nd the tubing on the shopvac idea. Maybe something as simple as some heater hose. Get the suction right to the nut. Empty the shop vac first so there is no doubt that any nut in the tank is the one in question.

**special-K** · 04-11-2023, 06:00 AM

Try every avenue. But if none get the nut out, I've been down that pull the head road over a ceased spark plug that broke off flush, leaving the tip in the head. I was pulling the plug to pull the header to better access the brake line to brake hose connection through the frame, anticipating the line fitting could be ceased. Turns out that came apart just fine. Defines making a mountain out of a molehill.

franken · 04-11-2023, 06:28 AM

Maybe the nut isn't where you think it is. Try other intake ports...

wlf89 · 04-11-2023, 07:55 AM

i am trying the shop vac before i go and rent the borescope, so far no luck, the chamber in the head should be pretty small area shouldnt it? looks like it should suck right up.

and i tested the other nut and its not magnetic, wouldnt have thought that.

im going to have my brother blow thru the plug hole while i suck thru the head and see if that helps.

will keep yall posted thanks for the tips so far

KW5413 · 04-11-2023, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlf89

i am trying the shop vac before i go and rent the borescope, so far no luck, the chamber in the head should be pretty small area shouldnt it? looks like it should suck right up.

and i tested the other nut and its not magnetic, wouldnt have thought that.

im going to have my brother blow thru the plug hole while i suck thru the head and see if that helps.

will keep yall posted thanks for the tips so far

Somehow...That just doesn't sound right.

Just sayin'

tutone · 04-11-2023, 08:51 AM

Looks like your intake valve is pretty much open. It should be in the cyl . IF it went past that valve. Filter your vacuum hose with a porous cloth so when u do suck it out, you know it. If you find out it is in the cyl, you may have to turn the eng over by HAND to near the top to get enough vacuum on it.

**MikeB** · 04-11-2023, 08:57 AM

Maybe the nut could be sitting on top of an intake valve, or between a partially open valve and seat. Will be interesting to learn what you discover.

If you use a vacuum cleaner to draw on the intake port, be sure to install a spark plug so you can create a vacuum, not just air flow. Or tape off the intake port if you draw on the spark plug hole. Even then, it may not be possible to create much of a vacuum if the exhaust valve is even barely open. I guess you could always back off the exhaust rocker nut a turn or two to make sure.

And be sure to empty the dirt out of the vacuum cleaner first, so you can confirm whether or not the nut got sucked in!

95 S_Trucker · 04-11-2023, 09:34 AM

If its one of the small nuts that hold the fuel lines to the injector housing an a 96+ vortec, the nut is stainless and no magnet will pull it out. I suggest using a borescope to locate it, then a flexible pickup tool to grab it.

Worst case is you pull the head. I had a threaded boss brake off on one of my vortec 454s when I had the upper intake off. It fell down one of the intake ports and the valve was open. So I had to pull the head.

Please use the upgraded intake gaskets from felpro. They are way better than the originals, and they are better than the aluminum ones you have on now.

wlf89 · 04-11-2023, 11:12 AM

it took me 5 secs to find it, sitting right on the valve, bent me a piece of bailing wire and fished it right out. that borescope was a life saver. one that articulates would really be the stuff.

**MySons68C20** · 04-11-2023, 11:18 AM

Excellent news congrats!!

**Getter-Done** · 04-11-2023, 11:41 AM

Glad you found it

**Steeveedee** · 04-11-2023, 02:08 PM

Good deal!

ghackett1 · 04-11-2023, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlf89

it took me 5 secs to find it, sitting right on the valve, bent me a piece of bailing wire and fished it right out. that borescope was a life saver. one that articulates would really be the stuff.

GREAT! Good for you

04-10-2023, 08:50 PM	#1
wlf89 69 c/10 lwb fleetside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: saint joseph TN Posts: 195	help, dropped nut into intake 02 s10 4.3 figured would get more traffic here. i dropped the little nut that holds the fuel line hold down clamp into the intake and it shot right thru into the head. pulled the intake hoping to fish it out with a flexible magnet with no luck. im assuming i will have to take the head off and try and rattle the nut out? what are the chances the nut could live in there and not cause damage? im guessing it would eventually get down into the valve with my luck. in the pic i have it circled in 1 of the 2 holes it went into, not that it matters Attached Images __________________ 69 lwb fleetside 67 swb fleetside (2) 72 lwb fleetside 50 swb no bed 65 impala ss 65 1 ton flatbed

04-10-2023, 09:11 PM	#2
Orange71shorty Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Helena, Montana Posts: 641	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Extendable magnet. If it got past a valve maybe you could pull a plug and retrieve it through the plug hole too

04-10-2023, 09:38 PM	#4
wlf89 69 c/10 lwb fleetside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: saint joseph TN Posts: 195	Re: help, dropped nut into intake i tried with 2 magnets that i have with no luck. __________________ 69 lwb fleetside 67 swb fleetside (2) 72 lwb fleetside 50 swb no bed 65 impala ss 65 1 ton flatbed

04-10-2023, 09:41 PM	#5
Lunnb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: White House , TN Posts: 62	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Fat chance but try a shop vac .

04-10-2023, 09:42 PM	#6
RustyPile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Elkhart, Texas Posts: 1,879	Re: help, dropped nut into intake No, the nut, no matter how small, can NOT "live" in there.. Even if you crank the engine over without starting it, severe damage will incur. Fish it out with a magnet through any available "orfice".. As a last resort, remove the head, but you must remove the wayward nut or suffer dire consequences.

04-10-2023, 10:40 PM	#8
Shortnwide4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 56	Re: help, dropped nut into intake See if you can rent a borescope from your local tool/parts supplier. In addition to being able to see it, they have attachments that have magnets on the end.

04-10-2023, 10:44 PM	#9
wlf89 69 c/10 lwb fleetside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: saint joseph TN Posts: 195	Re: help, dropped nut into intake yes sir im heading to autozone first thing in the morning to rent borescope, im hoping that will do it and avoid pulling the head __________________ 69 lwb fleetside 67 swb fleetside (2) 72 lwb fleetside 50 swb no bed 65 impala ss 65 1 ton flatbed

04-10-2023, 11:37 PM	#10
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,821	Re: help, dropped nut into intake How about removing the spark plug and pulling the vacuum so it creates a thru current. Or the opposite and use a compressor to blow. __________________ Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project “Faded Glory” (71 c10 med bronze original paint refresh) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD

04-10-2023, 11:42 PM	#11
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,663	Re: help, dropped nut into intake In the future: OR: Seriously, if it's on top of the piston but you can get to it, try blowing it around with some compressed air. It might end up in a more accessible place. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350, Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

04-11-2023, 12:04 AM	#12
Rust_never_sleeps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: San Ramon,CA Posts: 691	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Maybe tape a funnel to your shopvac hose and stick tubing on the end. You might have better luck fishing, cuz it won't attach itself to every ferrous surface like the magnet.

04-11-2023, 12:16 AM	#13
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,656	Re: help, dropped nut into intake One problem with the magnet is unless that is an aluminum head, almost everything around is magnetic and might keep the magnet from grabbing the nut. Or the nut could be something that is non-magnetic. While you are getting the borescope, get one of those flexible pickup tools with the three fingers that expand and contract as you push on the other end. It won't care what the nut is made of. Also, 2nd the tubing on the shopvac idea. Maybe something as simple as some heater hose. Get the suction right to the nut. Empty the shop vac first so there is no doubt that any nut in the tank is the one in question.

04-11-2023, 06:00 AM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Try every avenue. But if none get the nut out, I've been down that pull the head road over a ceased spark plug that broke off flush, leaving the tip in the head. I was pulling the plug to pull the header to better access the brake line to brake hose connection through the frame, anticipating the line fitting could be ceased. Turns out that came apart just fine. Defines making a mountain out of a molehill. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-11-2023, 06:28 AM	#15
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,144	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Maybe the nut isn't where you think it is. Try other intake ports...

04-11-2023, 07:55 AM	#16
wlf89 69 c/10 lwb fleetside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: saint joseph TN Posts: 195	Re: help, dropped nut into intake i am trying the shop vac before i go and rent the borescope, so far no luck, the chamber in the head should be pretty small area shouldnt it? looks like it should suck right up. and i tested the other nut and its not magnetic, wouldnt have thought that. im going to have my brother blow thru the plug hole while i suck thru the head and see if that helps. will keep yall posted thanks for the tips so far __________________ 69 lwb fleetside 67 swb fleetside (2) 72 lwb fleetside 50 swb no bed 65 impala ss 65 1 ton flatbed

04-11-2023, 08:51 AM	#18
tutone Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: hickory, ky Posts: 1,342	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Looks like your intake valve is pretty much open. It should be in the cyl . IF it went past that valve. Filter your vacuum hose with a porous cloth so when u do suck it out, you know it. If you find out it is in the cyl, you may have to turn the eng over by HAND to near the top to get enough vacuum on it. __________________ :My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=807535 1972 K10 swb/1968 Camaro 350/4spd 1955 210 2 dr sedan/1998 RCSB Z71/1977 Jeep CJ5



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04-11-2023, 08:57 AM	#19
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,663	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Maybe the nut could be sitting on top of an intake valve, or between a partially open valve and seat. Will be interesting to learn what you discover. If you use a vacuum cleaner to draw on the intake port, be sure to install a spark plug so you can create a vacuum, not just air flow. Or tape off the intake port if you draw on the spark plug hole. Even then, it may not be possible to create much of a vacuum if the exhaust valve is even barely open. I guess you could always back off the exhaust rocker nut a turn or two to make sure. And be sure to empty the dirt out of the vacuum cleaner first, so you can confirm whether or not the nut got sucked in! __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 36 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350, Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 04-11-2023 at 09:05 AM.

04-11-2023, 09:34 AM	#20
95 S_Trucker Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,187	Re: help, dropped nut into intake If its one of the small nuts that hold the fuel lines to the injector housing an a 96+ vortec, the nut is stainless and no magnet will pull it out. I suggest using a borescope to locate it, then a flexible pickup tool to grab it. Worst case is you pull the head. I had a threaded boss brake off on one of my vortec 454s when I had the upper intake off. It fell down one of the intake ports and the valve was open. So I had to pull the head. Please use the upgraded intake gaskets from felpro. They are way better than the originals, and they are better than the aluminum ones you have on now.

04-11-2023, 11:12 AM	#21
wlf89 69 c/10 lwb fleetside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: saint joseph TN Posts: 195	Re: help, dropped nut into intake it took me 5 secs to find it, sitting right on the valve, bent me a piece of bailing wire and fished it right out. that borescope was a life saver. one that articulates would really be the stuff. __________________ 69 lwb fleetside 67 swb fleetside (2) 72 lwb fleetside 50 swb no bed 65 impala ss 65 1 ton flatbed

04-11-2023, 11:18 AM	#22
MySons68C20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wenatchee, Wa Posts: 976	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Excellent news congrats!!

04-11-2023, 11:41 AM	#23
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 8,656	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Glad you found it __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ The early bird gets the worm, But the second mouse gets the cheese 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

04-11-2023, 02:08 PM	#24
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,928	Re: help, dropped nut into intake Good deal! __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

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