end of magnet pen fell into engine... how to remove?

**JehalinTA** · 06-20-2011, 06:20 PM

Hey guys,
not sure why I am having all these snags on the cam install, but the end of the pen magnet fell into the engine and I can't fish it out with another pen magnet. When I removed the one next to it I heard something fall. How do I get the end of the magnet out or should I even bother. It sounded like it fell down the the oil pan, but I am not sure. I was using it to hold up the lifter. I have been trying to fish it out with no luck. I know the oil pan is a pain to remove so I want to know what is the easiest solution.

**pajeff02** · 06-20-2011, 06:46 PM

Yikes! I am unclear... the magnet itself fell, or the little clip that threads onto the end?

**JehalinTA** · 06-20-2011, 06:49 PM

the tip and about 3-4 inches of the magnet pen, not the entire pen itself. I guess just the tip of the magnet pen.

**pajeff02** · 06-20-2011, 06:51 PM

It would be best to remove it obviously. Have you dropped the oil and fished for it through the drain hole?

**JehalinTA** · 06-20-2011, 06:57 PM

no I havent do you think it is in the oil pan?

**Z28_Driver** · 06-21-2011, 05:01 AM

It might be in the oil pan. Where exactly did it fall?
You were holding a lifter. Did it follow the lifter down?

**JehalinTA** · 06-21-2011, 06:13 AM

yes it fell towards the back of the block. The lifter fell, as well and I took the valley cover off and was able to fish a few lifters. The pen magnet method should not even be an option, as it is very unreliable. I should have been smart and bought the tool or made dowels. To reinstall the lifters do I need to remove the heads? The dowels would have saved a few more hours of labor.

**Z28_Driver** · 06-21-2011, 01:39 PM

Do you still have lifters lost in the engine somewhere?
Any foriegn object should be removed. ( errant lifters, pen magnets, etc.)
I would guess that the pen magnet is in the oil pan. But it could be hung up on a connecting rod i suppose.
Either way, you want to remove the pen magnet from the engine.

**transamtom** · 06-21-2011, 02:15 PM

Wouldn't the magnet stick to the first ferrous metal it comes in contact with?

It could it be stuck to the crank or a rod.

I would pull the pan and be safe,what costs more? the time to do it right or replacing your engine when that thing hangs up on something?

**Smittro** · 06-21-2011, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by JehalinTA

yes it fell towards the back of the block. The lifter fell, as well and I took the valley cover off and was able to fish a few lifters. The pen magnet method should not even be an option, as it is very unreliable. I should have been smart and bought the tool or made dowels. To reinstall the lifters do I need to remove the heads? The dowels would have saved a few more hours of labor.

Well on the LS1 you have to remove the heads to get the lifters out.

So you'd likely have to pull the heads to get them back in...

**JehalinTA** · 06-21-2011, 05:05 PM

I am going to pull the heads and see if I can fish the parts out through the valley cover. I was able to recover some of the lifters, but no site of the magnet. Hope to avoid dropping the oil pan.

**Z28_Driver** · 06-23-2011, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by JehalinTA

I am going to pull the heads and see if I can fish the parts out through the valley cover. I was able to recover some of the lifters, but no site of the magnet. Hope to avoid dropping the oil pan.

Just make sure you get all the lifters out and the pen magnet before you start it.

**timowen1** · 06-27-2011, 02:56 PM

this is exactly why I spent $0.68 on two wooden dowels and with the valve springs removed put them into the two holes in front of the block to hold the lifters up. with the springs and push rods removed spin the cam in both directions to put the lifters up into their retainers then push in the dowel rods. Lifters can't fall and no magnets to worry about. also one heck of a lot cheaper than 16 pen magnets

**JehalinTA** · 06-27-2011, 04:27 PM

Yea unfortunately I had to learn the hard way. I guess I know now. I didn't hear about the dowels until later and the tool was 100 bucks. What a Job to get the lifters out. I am still trying to pull the oil pan and find them. Seems the 100 buck tool would be cheaper than the head bolts and gaskets I have to replace.

**Z28_Driver** · 06-28-2011, 06:06 PM

Its all part of the game. You have to learn some of the lessons the hard way.
Tough it out and you'll be ahead for doing it yourself.

**JehalinTA** · 06-29-2011, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the encouragement Z28 driver. I was a little frustrated because of all I had to do, but good news is I was able to get all the lifters and the magnet out after dropping the oil pan. So I am currently installing everything.