Dropped Bolt in Engine
 

OK, so I was swapping out my distributor and dropped an 1-1/2" bolt down the hole. I attempted to get it out with an extendable magnet but no luck. While trying to get it out with the magnet the bolt was pushed further down and I heard it fall.My thoughts are that it is currently sitting at the bottom of the oil pan, but I do not know for sure.

First off, could it have fallen all the way to the bottom of the oil pan? I was not sure if it could have gotten past the camshaft. I can't seem to find a good diagram of the 4.3L.

Second, how the heck do I get it out?

I was thinking of getting a borescope and putting it in through the oil drain hole. Now if it is in the oil pan, I assume the only way to get it out would be to drop the oil pan.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. You guys don't know it, but this site has kept the blazer running for the past 3 years.

Oh man! That really sucks. Is your truck 4wd, if it is, dropping the pain will be a huge PITA, either way, getting this bolt out is going to be a pain man. Good luck, I wish I could help more.

oil pump will keep it out of the pan

1999 4.3L 4door 4WD

If it didn't get to the oil pan, where would it be located?

I think it should be in the oil pan
I think the oil pump bolts to the rear crank main cap but the drive from the distributer is offset due to the crank
The other place it could be is the lifter valley

Leaving it in could be catastrophic
A screen on the oil pump pickup will not allow it to be picked up

The question is can you afford a new motor if it grenades because you left it in

What if you drained the oil and used your magnetic probe through the oil drain hole? It might be within reach if you are lucky.


Good Luck!

I think the bolt is too big to fit through the drain hole.

Tomorrow I'm just going to try dropping the oil pan. It's either that or pull the engine. I figure try getting the oil pan off and if that proves impossible with the engine still in the car then just pull the engine. At least then I would have an excuse to rebuild it.

Thanks for you help guys, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

To verify the bolt is in the bottom of the oil pan, why don't you hit the oil pan with your fist and see if you here a corresponding clang. That would indicate the bolt is sitting on the pan.
If you decide to go ahead and drop the pan, why don't you see if you can just drop it enough to get a magnet in the side and 'fish' for the bolt. That way you don't have to remove all the 4WD and other obstacles in the way?

the gear at the bottom of the distributor runs off the cam, the slotted hole on the bottom spins the oil pump.

https://www.google.com/search?q=4.3+...70%3B256%3B230

Try harder with the magnetic pick up tool, or it might be in by the lifters. how small was it?

Im assuming you loooked down hole with good light and cannot see the bolt. I would try rigging up a vaccum tube with a wet vac and use a smaller hose attached to vacuum tube and push tube down in hole trying to "fish" or vacuum up bolt.

Man, that sucks. That's my biggest fear anytime I have the engine opened up like that. Hope you can get it out without pulling the engine

Got the bolt out. It was at the very bottom of the oil pan. Now I just need to reassemble the entire front end tomorrow. Who would have thought it would take 15 hours to drop an oil pan!

I like to cover/ plug with shop rags

Good to hear you found it
It would have been worse if it was not there

:icon_banana: Congrats!

Good job, Trapper. I know that was an ordeal. We have all been there before. Thanks for sharing the story and esp. thanks for the happy ending. Back on the road again! Jim in SC

Well got most of the front end put back together, but I cannot figure out how the oil cooler lines go. They are labeled in/out on the oil filter, but not where they go into the oil pump. I'm assuming the one that is slightly higher is the out? I cannot find any specs online or in my Haynes book. Does anybody know?

I hope the above diagram helps you out.

Thank you! That is exactly what I was looking for!

your bolt
 

is along side the oil pump to distribur shaft most likely. I found this thread cause im trying to get my hose off that shaft. that I used to prime the oil. pita

I probably would have used a borescope to confirm that it was in the bottom of the oil pan, then left it there.

Glad you got it handled, though. I'm pretty sure you'll never make that mistake again.