When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was out working on my car and I dropped a 1/4 ratchet down the inside of the fender where it meets the firewall,tge area where there is a screen. Can I retrieve it without taking the fan housing apart? I've tried a magnet/cloths The area at the upper right corner
hanger but couldn't get it. Does the exterior fender vent open all the way back to the firewall? If not it will be in there for awhile.
If you have a ventilation door behind the kick panel, then remove that ventilation door, you can reach in there and grab it. I used that space to route some leads into the engine compartment and sealed the door.
Originally Posted by Z51JEFF
Nope,not in there. I should have mentioned this is a 75 convertible. Not sure that matters.
I've got a MITYVAC, I'm going to pull some vacuum on the door diaphragm to pull it open long enough to get my hand in there. If that doesn't work then I'll remove the door. I just got the interior back in the car after 18 months,if I can't get this out easily it's going to stay until I restore the car at some point.
I have an electric vacuum pump that I have used it before to retrieve dropped items that I can’t get to any other way. I just use a small clear plastic tube and try and grab items with the vacuum. Can be hit and miss but another option..
Great idea, 20 bucks and the thing has saved me a number of times. Use it to find the ratchet, decide what you need to lift it out, magnet, suction hose, loop of wire, claw, whatever it is tape it to the camera stem and use the camera to run it down. I used the clear hose suction method to clean massive mouse nests of house insulation from the AC ducts in my daily driver camry, sort of a car colonoscopy lol; Had it duct taped to my shop vac for suction.
I got an electric vacuum pump for a/c projects but dammm...it does come in handy for exercing and testing these corvette vacuum systems.
Originally Posted by CraigH
Give that a try and see how you go.
I have an electric vacuum pump that I have used it before to retrieve dropped items that I can’t get to any other way. I just use a small clear plastic tube and try and grab items with the vacuum. Can be hit and miss but another option..
Yes.
Or maybe not.
I've had very good luck with an parascopic magnet, attached to a 12" length of bendable wire (14ga?).
Sucks that there's so many metal obstacles in the way, but the bending wire helps.
Yes.
Or maybe not.
I've had very good luck with an parascopic magnet, attached to a 12" length of bendable wire (14ga?).
Sucks that there's so many metal obstacles in the way, but the bending wire helps.
This is exactly what I did,coat hanger with a strong magnet taped to the end. I can grab the ratchet and pull it up so far then it catches on something and drops. I have a bore scope,one of the first things I went looking for,can't find it. 20 pounds of crap in a 10 pound bag,that's my garage yessir! I'll get it out,I'll be that guy asking for advice on some glass work to fill the hole😁. I'm just now in the process of tearing everything apart to clean up the engine compartment. These valve covers are temporary. I'll find my bore scope before this thing goes back together and get it out.
This is exactly what I did,coat hanger with a strong magnet taped to the end. I can grab the ratchet and pull it up so far then it catches on something and drops. I have a bore scope,one of the first things I went looking for,can't find it. 20 pounds of crap in a 10 pound bag,that's my garage yessir! I'll get it out,I'll be that guy asking for advice on some glass work to fill the hole😁. I'm just now in the process of tearing everything apart to clean up the engine compartment. These valve covers are temporary. I'll find my bore scope before this thing goes back together and get it out.
You're close.
Use a second magnet set-up.
As soon as you make that second magnet, you'll find the bore scope. Never fails.
Shade tree mechanics, FTW.
Is it gone forever?
