A bit of a rant...dropped a part and the engine bay swallowed it....

[Dans 68]

So I pulled the alternator out of my '73 to access the fuel pump. I was in the act of re-installing the top bolt and spacers (long and short) on the alternator (an interference fit by my take) when the short spacer fell. Exactly where it fell is a matter of conjecture. It was not on the floor. I looked on the K-frame with no success. I scoured the distributor cap and top of the intake pan and got nowhere. After an hour of looking I called it quits. Took off my overalls and washed my hands of it.

So, where do I get a replacement spacer?     

Dan

[mauve66]

wedged next to the motor mount??

[twodko]

If you don't have one of those telescoping magnet tipped wands, please pick one up. They are inexpensive and have save me untold grief in situations just like this. 

[Chryco Psycho]

drop something similar in the same place & see where ti goes !

[404NOTFOUND]

Keep looking. These cars don't have a lot of hiding spots compared to other cars. I have dropped many items. All were easily found.

[Chryco Psycho]

I spent 2 hrs looking for a lash cap they bolted , it was hidden in the sway bar mount , I knew it didin't go into a black hole / other universe but still could not locate it with a magnet or anything else

[BigBlackDodge]

Ahhhh...........the underhood black hole! Not even light (or spacers) can escape!


You'll find it in your driveway about a month from now when the black hole has tired of it.



BBD

[Ram07]

its like doing laundry...right....ya know you put two socks in, but only one comes out of the dryer....it's a mystery!

[Fred]

If you don't have one of those telescoping magnet tipped wands, please pick one up. They are inexpensive and have save me untold grief in situations just like this. 

Used mine many times. Always successful. 

[Cooter]

Get a caliper slide rebuild kit for a GM vehicle like the S-10 Pick up truck. Got little 2/4" long spacers that work PERFECTLY for this.

[Fred]

drop something similar in the same place & see where ti goes !

And lose that too! 

[68X426]

Dan - solution ..... open the hood, turn your car upside down and shake it, the spacer will pop out. 

[doctor4766]

Dan - solution ..... open the hood, turn your car upside down and shake it, the spacer will pop out. 

OMG I was just about to suggest that

[Ghoste]

I wouldn't just give up yet though.  You have to find it.

[b5blue]

Look between the blocks front and the backside of the fuel pump, that's where mine tried to hide......

[ChgrSteve67]

I would take the Alt back out and find the spacer.
The motor mount is a good place for items like this to hide.


Turning the car upside down and shaking it is also a good technique. I'm sure 68X426 & doctor4766 will be more than willing to come to your place and help you execute that.

[twodko]

You guys numba 1 funny! 

[Dans 68]

Thanks for all the "comments".    Yeah, I'll get back on it this weekend, and I'm sure I'll find it with only a minimum of effort. But at the time it sure felt like someone was playing with me. I love working on these cars, and at the same time I detest it. Go figure....

Dan

[tan top]

dropped sockets & bolts & other  stuff  in that area ,  , this is where they are always to be found  

[Troy]

Look between the blocks front and the backside of the fuel pump, that's where mine tried to hide......

dropped sockets & bolts & other  stuff  in the area ,  , this is where they are alway to be found 

These were my ideas as well.

Troy

[Paul G]

drop something similar in the same place & see where ti goes !

As funny as it sounds it works! Just dont sacrifice anything important.

Look under the radiator. There is a cavity under there too.

[Ghoste]

I love working on these cars, and at the same time I detest it. Go figure....

Dan

I know exactly how you feel and I would bet it applies to nearly all of us at one time or another.

[elacruze]

I had a washer disappear into a hole in the top of the frame in front of the firewall, never to be seen again.

[71charger_fan]

I've had things like that hide themselves away where the front subframe meets the firewall. Seems like a long journey from the alternator, but just the right bounce could do it.

[440]

As much as I hate dropping things I've come to appreciate the sound of said dropped item hitting the floor.

[ChgrSteve67]

I hate it when your under the car and drop a nut or bolt and you can't find it.

[68X426]

I can find my nuts, it's the missing bolt that ruins my day.

[440]

Or when the socket teases you by being just out of reach, and no matter how hard you try you just can't reach it.

[Dans 68]

Um, you both are still referring to car parts, right?  

I have not gotten back to it yet, maybe tomorrow. Like others have said I need to find my BIG magnet wand and start poking around....

Dan

[68X426]

Um, you both are still referring to car parts, right?  

Um, yeah, aren't you?

[Bob T]

Dropped a small bolt from the top, didnt hear it hit the floor and a couple of days later I found the swine wedged in between the primaries where the collector forms. And I mean wedged 
Mr grabby spring loaded claw tool read him his rights tho

[440]

Ahhh yes, Mr grabby tool is handy to have to retrieve things that like to evade capture and hide under benches etc...

[Dino]

Yesterday I dropped the washer that goes onto the long bolt holding the power steering pump and a/c bracket.  Didn't hit the ground.  Then I dropped one of the small nuts holding the spark plug bracket to the valve cover.  Again didn't hit the ground.  5 minutes after that I decided to give the small 7/16 wrench a little tap to loosen a bolt, wrench did a somersault and disappeared into the engine bay, didn't hit the ground.

I can see losing a washer and a nut but how the hell does that thing swallow a wrench?!?!?   

[elacruze]

Or when the socket teases you by being just out of reach, and no matter how hard you try you just can't reach it.

Murphy's law # 46;

A dropped socket will always roll to the point under the car furthest from all points of recovery.

[Troy]

Oddly enough, I had exactly the same thing happen to me yesterday! I fumbled the alternator and lost that end spacer and the small bolt that goes into the water pump. I heard the bolt and found it but still haven't fount the spacer. My engine bay was slightly disassembled so there's really nowhere for that spacer to hide. I tried the trick of dropping another about 10 times with poor results. From now on I'll put a rag or something spread out underneath like a trapeze net.

Troy

[Highbanked Hauler]

As much as I hate dropping things I've come to appreciate the sound of said dropped item hitting the floor.

  Got that right and especially the new sleds because of all the crap to go through

[Dans 68]

I went back at it today, and found the spacer in about 5 minutes. It was on top of the fuel pump. Go figure, as I looked intently at that device for at least 5 minutes in my initial search. I swear there were nefarious forces at work.... 

Dan

[ChgrSteve67]

yeah
Mistery solved.

I dropped a instrumentation cluster screw today and spent 20 minutes hunting for it under the front seats.
PITA

Glad you found it.

[69rtse4spd]

drop something similar in the same place & see where ti goes !

And lose that too! 

Just drop enough of them to fill up the voids.  .