I was bolting up the Bendix cover on our speedster yesterday and discovered the bolts I had were fine thread while the holes were tapped course thread. New set of the proper bolts worked fine, but....
While futzing with the back bolt I dropped it I thought into the openning by the bendix and spent the better part of a day trying to fish it out. I can't feel it at the drain hole with my little finger, can't hear it when I sweep the area with a wire, tried bouncing the whole car and can't hear anything rattle, tried dragging a magnet along the outside to no avail, poured some oil in through the bendix hole(I hadn't filled the crankcase with oil yet), nothing. Turned the engine over with the crank several times, nothing. I'm now not certain it went in the hole, but can't find it on the floor.
I don't have the magneto in the car, just the flywheel/ring gear and oil slingers. What's the worst that can happen if its lurking in the works somewhere when I start the car for the first time? I don't see any alternative to removing the hogshead and tranmission with the possibility its actually not there otherwise. What would you do?
I'd go to Lowe's or Home Dumpo and get a sweeping magnet (for picking things up off the floor) and make ABSOLUTELY sure it didn't go on the floor. Things like little screws can bounce and roll an incredibly long distance when dropped. Be sure to check carefully around the tires as well.
Since you don't have magnets on the flywheel, the screw didn't adhere to one of them inside the the tranny. So, if it's in there, you should be able to flush it out the drain hole with copious amounts of oil, kerosine, or something.
Best of luck!!
Here's what I did to flush an errant cotter key out of my pan in 2011. www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/246952.html. Good luck. Jim Patrick
If you have no magnets on your flywheel, likely the screw will just set on the bottom of the crankcase and cause no harm. It's very small and the moving parts will be far above it.
Norm
Look carefully around the frame rails, pan hanging arms, etc.
The last time I dropped a bolt and couldn't find it anywhere near where I thought it should be, I found it a couple hours later when I took my shoes off. Having poor feeling in your feet sucks.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
OH, those magnets are handy (I had a small, but very strong horseshoe magenet from my Dad's too box)! I pulled my bendix cover, and loosened the starter bolts, and rocked the car, to 'pop' a stuck bendix ..... then the fun starte d...
I dropped that pesky little bendix keyway when trying to put it back in (while in the car). Dropping it was no problem, but it bounced and landed in the kitty litter I hand under the car to absorb a few drips of oil here and there. Well, gosh ... that little buggar looks JUST like every ONE of those pieces of litter! LOL That little magnet has helped me numerous times!
My bendix assymbly wouldn't pull off the starter rod .. gets stuck .. yes with the spring screws pulled. All looked OK, so was putting back together when I dropped the keyway, above.
I've had the same trouble, I've taken another part (like the one lost) and drop it and watch witch it goes. These little things somehow like to try and mate up . Close any way. It has helped.
That is it is on the floor and not inside the case. Good luck.
Bob
Well, I drained the fresh oil, no bolt. Flushed over a gallon of mineral spirits through the clutch, no bolt. Dropped another bolt and watched where it went, found two other bolts I'd dropped some time ago, but no bolt. Eyeballed the whole shed with a fine-tooth comb, no bolt.
I've decided the gods of autodom took it in sacrifice, and who am I to tempt the gods further?
A screw like that could do alot of damage, so please be sure you have exhausted all attempts to find it before cranking your engine. Knowing me, I think that, as a last resort, if I could not find it using the above methods, I would have to remove the hogshead to have any peace of mind, whatsoever. Jim Patrick