Devil_Dog

Okay, I will start by saying it was a dumb mistake... My speedometer hasn't worked since getting my 64 vert. I have done a complete frame off and rebuilt the gauges, etc. So I assumed it was just the plastics gear that attached to the end of the speedometer cable in the transmission. So I removed the old plastics drive gear and it was in fact pretty worn. But I made a knucklehead mistake of inserting the new plastic drive gear into the transmission before sliding it into the retainer bolt. Result- yup it fell into the tranny.... I've tried and tried to reach it but can't. Any suggestions?!?!

1955 copper

For get it buy a new one ,it ant going to hurt leaving it there unless you want to go through the trouble pulling the tail housing off.

Pop Chevy

1st step is to get a mirror and a light try to spot it. Hopefully it didn't go far, even better is one of those inspection camera's. If you can see it you MIGHT be able to get it out.

Bluestripe67

I would think by suck out all the gear oil it should be easier to see/grab. I'm not sure about this next idea, can't you take the shifter side plate off and get access? Try to find a flexible claw tool at a parts place. Dennis

Devil_Dog

Thanks for the response. If leaving it in there won't hurt anything than that would be IDEAL!! I have already spent hours trying to fish out the new part to no luck!
Thanks!!

Devil_Dog

Pop, I tried this to no luck.... It was close at first and u tried to grab it with my finger then an extension claw- only to have it fall back and into a corner that I can't get too...
Thanks for the response!

Devil_Dog

Bluestripe; glad to see I'm not crazy in the attempts I made as your recommendations are exactly what I tried before reaching out on the forum for help. I removed the gear oil and can't seem to connect back to the rear tail of the tranny. Then tried the flexible extension tool with the claw fingers for a couple of hours with no luck....
Only thing I didn't try was removing the side access panel because I didn't think it would work.
Unless someone tells me it will hurt something I am just going to get another plastic gear and replace it leaving the new one I dropped in the tranny.
Thanks for the suggestions.

59BlueSilver

it isn't going to hurt anything!

larrywalk

Removing the side cover won't help because the speedo-drive gears are in the aft compartment.

Devil_Dog

PERFECT!! Greatly appreciate the insight.
This community is an awesome support network!

Mr D.

Your not the first person to have this happen, as others have stated put a new one in.

Devil_Dog

Thanks, that makes me feel a little less like an idiot!
Lesson learned!

Roger Walling

Way back when we were assembling our dragster motor, we looked for the cap for the ultra rev lubricant. it was no where in site, of course we were concerned that it might be in the engine but what the hell, what can a small cap do?

The next time we looked at the bearings after the race, we found it. It was all melted and sticking to all the bearings!

I'm sure that the gears in the trans will make many little pieces and might even help quiet the slop in the gears.

409/409

I dropped one in a T-10 over 20 years ago. It's still in there and no problems. I'm sure it's just laying on the bottom out of harms way.

SS409

I dropped one in a muncie three years ago and drove it for a year before replacing it with a TKO. I separated the main and tail case and there it was lying unscathed in the bottom of the tailcase. I placed it back in the parts bin.

ejboyd5

I wonder how many of those things have been riding around in transmissions since the time of factory assembly.

hedgehead

Did the same thing. Went fishing and got it first try, I ran to buy a lottery ticket, but my luck had run out.

Devil_Dog

Thanks for the affirmation that I'm not the only person who had this happen to them! I was afraid I was going to tear the transmission apart!! You guys rock!

Pop Chevy

Don't take the tranny apart. Leave it ! There's not much happening in the rear tailhousing. It's not going to get chewed up.

Devil_Dog

Thanks! That seems to be the consensus from the responses. Very glad that worked out okay. Now I'll be able to get the car back on the road this weekend!
Cheers!