[DeTomaso] OK, now I'm screwed

[Charles McCall]

Today I was checking the valve lash on my Pantera. Pretty pleased, as I
didn't have to adjust much - two valves were a little tight but not bad. 

 

I put the valve covers back on the drivers side. No problem. I started
putting the valve covers on the passenger side when I realized that I have a
problem. 

 

My valve cover bolts aren't typical bolts - they are winged stem bolt
things. When I removed them from the passenger side, in all six cases the
threaded portion remained in the head when I removed the bolt. It separated
from the stem/wing part and remained behind. No problem. But when I went to
re-install the bolts, two of the threaded portions were now missing. I don't
see them under the car. In both cases, it was the bolt hole "uphill", toward
the center of the car. Feeling around with my fingers I can't find them in
the heads. Also feeling around, there is a big galley beneath both bolt
holes that I can't feel the bottom. I have a sinking feeling that the
threaded portion may have falled out when I was wrestling the valve cover
off and may have fallen INTO the head. Since I can't find them, and since
both bolt holes are directly above this valley, I have a sinking feeling
that they have fallen inside. 

 

Now what? Where does this valley go? It surrounds the pushrod, so I assume
down to the lifters. What happens if I start the car and they are indeed in
there? (I think I know the answer)

 

Someone please tell me I don't have to pull the engine because a bolt fell
inside. Please someone tell me they swiped the bolts when I wasn't looking
and they have them. Please someone tell me that they have most likely fallen
straight into the oil pan, and if I simply drain the oil I'll find them. 

 

Charles McCall

1985 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S #9375

"Raising Pantera Awareness Across Europe"

 <http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=2323>
http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=2323