Butter fingers

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 28, 2007 | 07:11 PM

Maui

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 8,824

Likes: 3

From: The left Coast

St. Jude Donor '08

Butter fingers

I've been working on my '68 Camaro today and it amazes me how I can drop a bolt have it fall between the pulley and the water pump. It took me 30 minutes to fish the friggin thing out. I've dropped bolts that bounced off the engine right into a hole in the sub-frame never to be seen again. The openings don't even appear large enough for the bolt to fit. There is no way I could do this if I wanted to.

Oct 28, 2007 | 07:53 PM

drivinfast

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 2,345

Likes: 2

From: Houston 06 C6 Ysi SC 402 fgd TX

You are not alone.

You think you have the bolt secure and are well on your way to putting it aside and then "poof" it happens.

You say to yourself "How?"

Oct 28, 2007 | 08:00 PM

glennhl

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 5,762

Likes: 4

From: Chandler Arizona

I know the feeling. The worst thing is you waste so much time trying to fish it out and then you have to go to the store and buy another bolt!

The worst things are those little valve keepers when you change out springs when doing a cam. I had them ship me 4 extra keepers. Somehow I did not lose even one, just one of those miracles!

Oct 28, 2007 | 08:05 PM

Cory@LS2PortWorks

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 1,861

Likes: 1

From: Bremerton WA

St. Jude Donor '09

I know! My H2 has swallowed a small flat blade screw driver, a 10mm socket, and a small wrench. Then never came out as far as I know. I used to live on a 1/8 mile easement so it should have come out there somewhere.... but never appeared

Oct 28, 2007 | 08:27 PM

VET4LES

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 27,420

Likes: 64

From: San Clemente CA

I do it regularly. I'm sure every mechanic does it.

Oct 28, 2007 | 11:39 PM

cerino2000

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 7,457

Likes: 144

From: NC

Thanks, I needed that. Glad I am not the only one. I can't tell you how many times I have invented cuss words as I see crap like this happen. Never fails to amaze me how the most impossible things that you just can't imagine happening manage to happen. And if you tried to make it happen there's no way in hell you could do it.

A couple of weeks ago OddBall and I were working on his C3. Trying to get some kind of sleeve out of a strut bar in the rear suspension. It was rusted in place so bad that we had to resort to simply splitting it and then peeling it out. Even then it was fighting. I had a chisel lodged into what we had got so far and I was using two hands on a pretty big freaking hammer to get a full swing. So I gave it a good whack and the phucking chisel went flying. Now, mind you, his garage is at least 24 x 24 probably bigger. Where do you think out of all that space the chisel went?

You may have guessed it. It made a B-line for the window and shattered the glass. It was almost like living a cartoon or something. Couldn't believe it! Of all the places it could have went it was like a magnet sucked it right in.

Anyways, been there done that bro!

Oct 28, 2007 | 11:58 PM

07C6Z51

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 207

Likes: 0

From: Hesperia Ca.

St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maui

I was doing a tune up on a 66 chevy with a 283. Points, plugs, condensor and air filter. I searched for half an hour to find the air filter housing nut. I found it soon after I started the engine, and opened up the butterflies on the carburator. Made a hell of a racket.

Oct 29, 2007 | 06:47 AM

EuroRod

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 18,396

Likes: 169

The older me and my fingers get, the more often and frustrating this happens. I've lost two brake fluid tank caps while working on my car. They only require a small twist to secure them, and just brushing them with your arm can dislodge them, falling down behind the washer fluid tank, never to be seen again! First time this happened, I looked for 30 minutes, gave up and just bought another. They're expensive little things. Second time this happened, got pissed, and removed the tire, inner fender splash panel, and washer fluid tank, determined to find it. Wherever they go, there's enough room for two of'um! Now, whenever I'm in the engine compartment, I duct tape it in place.