Flathead Engine Question

I dropped a washer down the tube at the front of my engine this afternoon. I have two questions...

1. does this go all the way down to the oil pan?

2. can this cause any problems if I can't get it out? I was just going to drain the oil and hope it flushes out.

Thanks,
Todd

 

I dropped a nut and washer down that tube. I was able to see the washer down the tube with a flashlight. Got the washer with a stick magnet. I got the nut by pouring extra oil in and tapping the oil pan. It took some time but it worked it's way to the drain. I had a truck pan with the large clean out. It may be harder with the car pan. I was afraid to run it untill I got the parts out as it was a new rebuid. Fustrating problem. Good luck.

 

i would definatly try to retrive the washer before running the engine,
worse case you may have to r & r the oil pan

 

Try fishing around with one of those magnets on a flex cable, you might get lucky. Or maybe it's still in the valley, pull the intake . That's no biggie, no water leaks or anything.

 

The oil fill does not go all the way to the pan,There should be a small shelf at the bottom of the tube,so you might get lucky and us a magnet like R Pope said. Good luck.

 

Are you talking about the vent tube that goes from the crankcase to the bottom of the intake manifold on 8BA's? In which case your intake must already be off?

If so, it's pretty much a straight shot to the pan, but plenty of opportunity to hang up on something. Safest bet is to pull the pan if fishing with a magnet doesn't get it.


PS -- most car pans have a baffle plate that will make it hard to wash it down

 

You need to say what year flathead.

 

It may also depend on how much sludge is in there to bond it to. I pulled my intake and found several acorns, and 2 screw nails, all stuck on top of the slime. God only knows how long that stuff was in there.

 

It's an '50 engine. Yes, the intake is already off and it was the tube that goes through the lifter valley in the right front corner. Also, it was a stainless washer...

It has a fresh rebuild so I wouldn't expect any sludge in the pan. I think I'll just drain the oil and flush it down the tube until the washer comes out.

 

On the 8ba, There's two big holes at the bottom one faces the timing gears and the other the crank and oil pan.
I can take a photo after work today if you like?