[RPush]

I did a dumb thing -- and I knew better!

I was nearing the end of replacing the notorious leaking intake manifold on my “adopted” 98 Yukon. I had neglected to align the crank to TDC and hadn’t marked the distributor rotor position. So, after turning the crank to TDC, I then had to turn the oil pump shaft so I could re-install the distributor.

Many of my vast assortment of tools are still in NH. I didn’t have a screwdriver long enough. Against my better judgment, I got a screwdriver bit and put it in a socket adapter on a 1/4” extension. I tested it and it seemed tight enough. I crawled up on my ladder platform over the engine compartment and carefully reached the bit/adapter/extension down the distributor hole and successfully turned the oil pump shaft. The bit/adapter came back up. But, the distributor still wouldn’t seat. So, I tried again to better align the shaft. This time, the extension came back empty!

I tried a magnetic wand and came back empty. I tried looking down the distributor hole with my super-whamo-dyne CobraCam USB flexible inspection camera with the usual underwhelming results – I could only see the top of the oil pump shaft. I finally broke down and removed the newly gasketed intake manifold, fortunately apparently without ruining the expensive FelPro gaskets.

I could now see the distributor drive gear on the crankshaft and the top of the oil pump shaft. My magnetic wand still didn’t catch anything. It appears that there are holes in the block casting beside the boss where the top of the oil pump shaft rides. My guess is that the bit/adapter fell down a hole and probably made it to the oil pan, or maybe landed on the crankshaft oil deflector.

I would like to have the adapter back, but the Yukon it a little heavy to turn upside down and shake. I’m reluctant to drop the oil pan and go fishin. My “DW” is concerned about the consequences of leaving a “foreign object” loose in an engine.

I know surgeons would face vast mal practice suits if they left a tool in a patient.

So, I’m soliciting advice:

Did the 7/16 dia x 1 ½ inch long bit/adapter probably make it to the oil pan?
How long could it ride around before causing consequences?
What and when would consequences likely occur?

If anyone has a GM 350 engine or short block opened up, I’d appreciate it if you would drop a 7/16 x 1 ½ piece down the distributor hole and see where it goes.

Laugh all you want at my expense. But you don’t have to say, “Dummy you really messed up!” – I already know that.