Old Futzy

Hey everyone. I'm just finishing up an intake manifold gasket job on my '88 L98 C4. I had the distributor hold-down clamp bolted to the manifold while the distributor was out so I wouldn't lose it. I was removing the bolt holding the clamp down while chatting with a friend and thought I may have heard something drop down into the valley as I lifted the bolt and clamp away from the manifold. Does anybody know if there is a washer that sits between the bolt and the clamp on these vettes? I don't see why it would be necessary, because the bolt is flanged, but I'm feeling paranoid now. I did dig around with a magnet already and checked some exploded diagrams, but I hope somebody can confirm that the only things in the assembly are the bolt and clamp. Thanks.

Joe C

the only thing I can confirm is my 85 has a washer. the parts and illustrations manual does show a washer from 1984-1987, whereas the 88 thru 91 engines do not show a washer. this is not to say, someone added a washer sometime in the past. take this FWIW, and proceed with caution -

WVZR-1

Buy, beg or borrow a Borescope and if you happen upon it fine, if not you've still the dilemma. I can show you a 4/90 GM SPO catalog that has it part #'d through '88. I have a 2/88 SPO Catalog that shows the same information.

Maybe you base your decision/gamble on the bolt if you feel it's original. There's 2 part #'d bolts 1 1/8 long and 1 1/4 long. Those actually appear to 'overlap' in applications.

383vett

I've got a washer on mine.

ctmccloskey

First: Welcome to the Corvette Forum!!

Second: Check your hardware to be sure that something is actually missing. When I disassemble anything complicated I put all the parts in a container. When I end up with extra parts leftover I know that I am in trouble. This makes it hard to loose parts and washers.

I have done things like what you are describing, it is not that uncommon. You are going to have to be pretty crafty/ingenious to get it out without disassembling the engine.

If the intake manifold could be removed again it would save you a lot of trouble. Removing the intake would probably be the best way to be sure that nothing is loose inside the engine block. I would do this to be sure myself.

Do you have access top a bore scope or something that would allow you to see down in the hole?
It went down the distributor hole right? If the distributor was removed the washer would land on the flat spots around distributor hole inside the block or fall down and hit the oil pump drive rod. If it bounced down there it would probably be in your oil pan.
If you can try reaching around with a strong magnet.
If you still can't find it this way I would drop the oil pan and see if it made it down that far. You could drain the oil and try the magnet through the drain hole.

Once when I dropped a part (cir-clip) inside of a motorcycle engine that I was finishing rebuilding I was able to get the cir-clip to come out of the oil drain hole. Since the motor cycle engine was made of aluminum I put a strong magnet below the pan. I ended up making sweeps across the pan and finally I was able to get it out.

I am sorry that this happened to you and your Corvette! With all the help available here somebody step up with even better ideas. Good Luck!

P.S. On my 1988 L98 Coupe there is a washer on that particular bolt....

84 4+3

Could always try feeling around with a magnet first...

Whaleman

I bought a very cheap LED camera (3/16" dia) on ebay for like $5. It hooks up to a laptop. That cheap *** sucker really works great. I will search my ebay account and see if I can get the seller. Dan

Whaleman

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Borescope-V...item3f97e42d6b

This is well worth the money.

WVZR-1

I get the 'CHEAP' but I don't know why a person wouldn't just use it as 'an excuse' for a quality product purchase. Your eBay link I'd think suggests likely 30 day delivery.

I mentioned rent, borrow OR BUY. When I mentioned buy I meant a 'quality' purchase and 'now'!!

Whaleman

You are correct Sir it took a while to get here. I don't remember it taking 30 days. I agree a quality product would be better. Dan

Old Futzy

Thanks for the advice guys. I got my hands on a borescope and spent an hour checking as many places as I could fit the camera, but I didn't find anything. I'm assuming now that the washer is down in the pan. I spoke with a Corvette specialist in my area today who was with GM in the 80's and 90's. Apparently he's found coins, rags etc. down in the pans of these small blocks over the years and it is his opinion that leaving the washer down there won't be a problem. Based on what I've read here, when I do my spring oil change tomorrow I'll run a magnet across the pan a few times to see if I can get a hold of the washer. Maybe I can stick the magnet on the bottom of the pan long term to secure the washer in place until I have time to drop the pan out in the future.

WVZR-1

There's certainly likely not many places for the washer to wander off to. If you're sure it didn't fall to the oil pump drive there's only 2 return holes rear of block. I'd maybe check one last time in the oil pump drive for it and if it was a quality borescope with a long reach I'd think you've no issues.

84 4+3

Yea that's on me... my bad.