Valve spring retainer

[greenacres36]

I was out and about in my 26 tudoor today. It seem like it was running so well then it happened. Started popping and missing like crazy in traffic. I managed to get into a parking lot and called my son to bring the trailer. While I waited I pulled off the valve cover because I had a suspicion. My suspicion proved to be right. A valve retaining pin pushed through a retainer. That’s OK because that’s a fairly easy fix. It could almost be done along the Side of the road. At any rate I went ahead and towed at home on my trailer. To my surprise the retaining pin must have found its way down the drain hole and into the crank case. What next? Do I chance it and hopefully nothing happens? I just did an oil change but I suppose I can pull the plug and the transmission cover and check the filter and magnet. The last thing I wanna do is pull the engine to find the stupid little pin. It’s probably stuck to a magnet on the fly wheel or something. I’m afraid it will end up costing me a magneto or God forbid find its way into a triple gear. Any suggestions? I’m sure this is happened to a lot of people before.

[speedytinc]

They usually stay in the area. Fish around with a pencil magnet before panicking.

[greenacres36]

I did with a magnet. It’s gone. Not really a panic, more like a crap! I really don’t understand why the retainer failed to begin with. I just rebuilt this engine about 250 miles ago or so. Not because I am cheap but I don’t like throwing away good parts, I reused the retainers and pins that were already in the car. They looked fine. They had been in there for a lot of miles. I guess that’s one of the things you get when you try to skimp a little. I really didn’t see myself as cutting corners. Lesson learned I guess. I suppose parts like that may look OK but are subject stresses.

[Allan]

Brian, using original retainers and pins is good sense. Unless they are considerably worn, they are likely far better quality than reproduction pieces, especially the pins.

Allan from down under.

[speedytinc]

Brian, using original retainers and pins is good sense. Unless they are considerably worn, they are likely far better quality than reproduction pieces, especially the pins.

Allan from down under.

Ill second that! repos have known to shear & retainers are thinner than originals.

[greenacres36]

Not much I can do about the pins but I am almost considering making some retainers. I’ve been a machinist for 33 years so I have the facilities. I don’t know if what I would make would hold up. I would probably use 4140 preheat treated material. I’m afraid by making them from bar stock they might be little too heavy. Any thoughts? I measured the retainers that I have and they are only .040 inches thick. That’s pretty puny.

[Scott_Conger]

I would be inclined to redouble efforts/inspection within the the valve chamber, behind the push-rod bosses...if really not there, then pull the bottom inspection plate and you will very likely find it either swimming in a rod dip, or hanging on for dear life in the crud that accumulates in the lip where the pan bolts to.

[greenacres36]

Oh praise the Lord! It was between the internal oil line in the cylinder wall. It fell straight down the hole and landed there and could not proceed. I moved that pipe just a little bit with my fingertips and it fell straight down. I feel so much better now.

[Scott_Conger]

....BINGO!

[greenacres36]

Well, I whipped one out real quick on my lathe out of 4140 preheat treated material. We’ll see how it goes.