I had the valve covers off to get to my lower runner bolts. A piece of shaving off the plenum fell into one of the center oil holes on the heads. If I change the oil before I start it, will I be ok ? It wasn't a very big shaving but I am worried about it.

 

If it's a big shaving, you might get lucky and it'll get trapped by the oilpump inlet screen. If you're REALLY LUCKY, it'll come out when you drain the oil.
Ya feelin' lucky???

------------------
Zslug

May the road rise to meet your treads...

'84Z, 5sp, stock 305, Edelbrock intake, GTA wheels

 

BTTT

 

Well friend, I don't know what we can say. We can't promise that it won't find it's way into the bearings. It could go either way. It will depend on the luck of the draw. I would change the oil like you said and makebe pour a little extra down there with the drain plug out. Stick a pickup tool magnet in the drain plug.

The bearings are designed to embedd something like that. If you get it in the cam and lifter area you might be in more trouble.

 

why can't people with these problems just drop the pan, like people that drop bolts and stuff down, or is it hard to take the oil pans off on these engines?

------------------
- David
88' GTA 5.7L TPI MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass, Gutted CAT, Flowmaster 80 Series

http://www.geocities.com/david_angel_16

 

Because it's easier to yank the whole darn engine and put a 350 in You have to pull the motor out up with a hoist to get the pan out. I changed the oil, ran it thru a screen to see if I got it. I didn't see it. I am going to run it tomorrow and change the oil one more time. I am not too worried about it. It is a good motor but is coming out soon for the 350.

 

Personaly I would of opened the drail plug, and poured some engine flush down the hole that it feel. Being the flush is like gas, it should move it right out.

Anyways, since it fell into the head area wouldn't it be on it's way down to the pan ?
If it's in the pan, and it's not big enough to go threw the pickup, you should be ok. The oil filter should stop it also. At least you hope right ?

Ron



------------------
'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe

 

If you dont already have one, get a magnetic drain plug to catch that shaving before one of your bearings does!

------------------
1991 Z28 5.7 TPI

ZZ4 heads, ZZ4 cam, Harland Sharp roller rockers, Accel base, SLP siamesed runners, 52MM SLP Throttle Body, Hooker Headers, Flowmaster catback, MSD6A ignition, Home made ramair system, 2500 stall, bullet proof 700R4, aluminum driveshaft...

Soon to be installed. WC T5 !

 

stick one of those long skinny flexible magnets in the hole and try to grab it. otherewise drop the pan and inspect the oil. definitely get a new filter.

------------------
86 berlinetta
350cui w/.30 over
.526 hilift cam
hooker supercomps
3" duals
edelbrock streetmaster
holley 750 dp
bad asshauler

 

Isn't the plenum made of aluminum? If the shaving was a piece of the plenum, I don't think those magnets are going to get it.

Other than trying to flush it down into the pan, I wouldn't worry too much. It'll eventually make its way down there.

 

magnetic drain plug, thats a D.amn good idea.


------------------
89 Formula Firebird
Red with T-tops
5.0 305 FI
Soon to be a 400sb.

[This message has been edited by redbird_400 (edited October 23, 2001).]

 

I won't have to worry about it for awhile. I got the car running so good that I shattered the rear end yesterday. I have to take it apart and find out how bad the damage is.

Yes, it was a piece of plenum. I plan to change the oil once again after the rear is done and install a magnetic drain plug. I did try sticking a magnetic tool up there with no luck. The shaving itself fell down through the middle part of the head. It's cut for guideplates. My brother said it probably worked it's way out through the exhaust port. I don't know about that.