MTFCA Forum

More of a vent session here... I dropped a washer into the transmission.

Today was my day to install RM brakes on my 26 Tudor after buying them 6 months ago. I opened the transmission to pull the old brake pedal (the stock pedal had a tab welded to it for a different brake system) and put in a RMB pedal. I removed the key, stuffed rags in the tranny...but my zip ties didn't hold and at the least second they snapped as I pulled the nut off. The washer was thrust between the the band, the rags and the hogs head. As I tried to retrieve it...down it went.

So much for the RMB installation today.

So far I have drained the oil but I can't feel the washer. I think I'll pull the starter next to see if a magnet grabbed it. My flex magnet is too big to fit down in past the drums. Swear words and prayers have been said.

I'm hoping at all costs to not pull the hogs head or motor for a deeper dive....

A long shot, never tried it, possible solution: If all else fails, try washing the interior of the transmission out with a solvent and letting it dry completely. Then use an air gun and compressed air to try to blow the washer out, or into a more accessible location.

Bahahaa, I thought about that Vern! I was also thinking about flushing some kerosene down through...but when I was fishing I just heard a click in the pan. I can now feel the washer through the oil drain hole! Yay! Now how do I get it out from there? Can I fish through the starter hole? Try to lift it to the magnets and spin the fly wheel the started hole? Drop the inspection cover and come in through the front?


I going to start working on the brakes while I calm down a bit.

I did a past post. Gone fishing. Long story.
Finally found it dragging a rag on the flywheel. Takes much time & patience.

Someone on a past post mentioned using a used refrigerator door seal magnet to fish things out of the sump. The magnet is flexible and the length of the refrigerator door. Sounds like a great idea but since I read about it I haven’t been able to find a used refrigerator or freezer to steal one off of and try this out!

George,
Google General Tool 395 bendable magnet. I have bought several of these from the MAC Tool guy they work good because they can be bent to a shape to get to places. And the magnet is very small in diameter. Get two they tend to walk off.
Craig.

They also make magnetic door seals for steel exterior house doors. Home improvement stores and lumber yards should have them. Should work the same and easier to find. Wife will get mad if you take the one off her fridge.

Craig Leach wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:00 pm

George,
Google General Tool 395 bendable magnet. I have bought several of these from the MAC Tool guy they work good because they can be bent to a shape to get to places. And the magnet is very small in diameter. Get two they tend to walk off.
Craig.

George...I agree with Craig. Get this magnet..it has saved my butt twice! It just might if not should, reach the washer down in the drain hole thru the inspection door. It is a STRONG magnet! It just may "pull" It up from the drain cup.

George, the hard part is done, you found it and can touch it. Just run a soft wire up thru the oil drain and out the top of the tranny, twist the other end of the wire around the washer and pull it gently from the top of the tranny. Been there done that.

I bought a bore scope camera last year, it has an led light on the end of the cord wand, has attached screen. It is wonderful- I use it for all kinds of stuff. I inspected my hogshead, engine internals, rear end gears too. Technology is getting cheaper and cheaper. A bore camera is a must for any toolbox, especially when the cost under 60 bucks. Lots of different names, all made in China, but mine is an Lonevo brand.

Humblej wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:21 pm

George, the hard part is done, you found it and can touch it. Just run a soft wire up thru the oil drain and out the top of the tranny, twist the other end of the wire around the washer and pull it gently from the top of the tranny. Been there done that.

Me too!

Why Ford couldn't make the drain bigger is beyond me
I used a magnet on thine metal rod and went fishing

Thanks everyone! NAPA should have one of those flexible magnets (like Craig posted) for me tomorrow. Hopefully between that and wire I won't need a camera...but time will tell.

If the washer is at the drain hole, fish a wire down from the top. Push the wire through the hole in the washer. Using needle nose pliers, wrap the wire up and around the original wire. Twist the wire. Pull the washer out. Have done it twice with success.

Get a wire around the washer as others have said. If ya get it stuck to a flywheel magnet, you will have no way to retrieve it without pulling the hogshead.

This what I did in 1947, I put the cap nut back on the pan. I taped the cap nut with a hammer. The nut jumped up and attached to a magnet.I crank the engine over and the nut came up.

The endoscope is on my wish list. It is something I hope I never have to use it, but in the very likely event I will will be needing it.

Five years ago, I dropped a band washer into the transmission in the final phases of rebuilding the engine and transmission. After several unsuccessful tries, I tilted the engine and the washer came out the tailed.

Art Mirtes

I bought a borescope with USB that merely plugs into your laptop computer, six foot cable for less than $20. It has an adjustable light on the end and you never have to worry about the electronics going bad. Plus you get a big screen.

I have tried using one of the magents on the flex shaft, the type that looks like choke cable. As long as the missing part(s) was on the transmission side, worked fine, but would hang up on the flywheel starter teeth when trying to feed it under.