Big oops

Ok, My intake manifold gasket is leaking, so I decide to pull it and replace it (again...having not done the job properly the first time, I now know what to look for). I invite a friend over to keep me company while I do this (being my second time in as many weeks, I'm fairly comfortable with it by now).

After I get the manifold off and I'm cleaning the surfaces, my friend decides he's going to use a bolt to clean the threads of the manifold bolt holes (Not having a tap set on hand and him being "More knowledgable" then I, it sounded like a good idea at the time). After a few moments of scraping gasket off my manifold and feeling darn proud of myself for getting this far in such a short period of time, I hear a roar of cussing from under the hood to make a sailor blush. I know, I used to be a sailor and I've never used language like that.

You guessed it. My friend dropped a bolt down the head. I'm at that point where I'm trying to be nice to him (read that as not yelling at him for not putting a rag down to collect dirt and bolts and such). Now I'm faced with a very real problem.

What is the best way to get to the area that the bolt may be in...It's below the cam because we can't see it. Is there an easy way to access this area without pulling EVERYTHING off the block? I'm hoping somebody has been inside this engine and can help me....Thank you.

Trons

Have you tried:

a) An extension mirror, small like a dentists?

b) A magnetic pick-up tool?

c) A three clawed pick-up tool?

I have a mirror that we tried, not a small dental mirror but I still couldn't see past the cam. If I could see the bolt I could probable come up with a way to get it, but I can't see it. I'm not very familiar with these types of engines (Chevy 350 and toyota 4cyl are about all I've worked with).

Trons

Is it the lower intake manifold that you have removed? If so can you see the intake valve? Is it open or closed?

It didn't fall in the valve ports, it fell down the center of the block. I'm hoping (beyond all hope), after having slept off all the beer I drank after it happened, that I can either a) fish it out through the oil drain plug hole, or b) remove the oil pan and get to it.

I'm not sure of any better ideas because I can't see the dang thing and I'm not sure about the set-up of the block and can't find an exploded view of the block. From what I see, the area it fell in goes down a long way (hopefully all the way to the oil pan). I was hoping somebody has had this engine apart and could verify it for me. Either way, I can't access it from anywhere on top, so worst case, oil pan comes off...:(

It will be this weekend before I get a chance to work on it again, so any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Trons

I have had luck fishing things out of engines using a small chain or cable (must be high in iron content...but not stainless steel) and a large cylinder magnet. You hold one end of chain (or cable) against one end of magnet and go "fishing".

If your magnet is really strong (you hope it is) and you are using a chain, you may have to pass the chain thru a foot of stiff hose to keep the chain from gathering up against the magnet. Sometimes it works better to drop the chain (or cable) in place and then bring the magnet to the chain.

Sorry I am confused. The last time I had an intake manifold off was a 302 and I only remember seeing the top of the block and the lifters. The only holes I saw was ports and oil return holes but they weren't very large. Sorry I wasn't much help.