The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Re: What did you get done on your 'Bolt today?

Well we've all had that moment. Several weeks ago while doing our annual Smalltown Weekend Cruise the float stuck on the Edlebrock carb and we had to limp it home missing the cruise. Changed out the carb to a Holley and all was well. A couple of days later I felt the urge to tweek the Holley a little for a quicker off idle response. Pulled the carb off to re-jet it. Now for the moment. I had placed the air cleaner assy on the running board and I guess I left the hold down bolt on the fender cover. The good ole Oklahoma wind was blowing pretty good that day and when I returned to the truck to put the carb back on I found the fender cover laying on top of the intake manifold. Put it back on the fender and installed the carb (guess where this is going) and fired it up. Gosh awful noise and the engine wouldn't idle. I wish I could say that I hadn't heard that noise before but that's another long story. After much debate on what course of action to take, I decided to purchase a Bore Scope (best $20 I ever spent on a tool) and see what was down the intake. Found the Air Cleaner Bolt stuck in the #8 intake valve. Since it's been 100+ here for the last 2 weeks and I have no shade to work in, I've been doing an hour or so each morning. Took the intake off and using one of those cheap spring loaded grabber tools got a hold of the bolt. Then using a flat pry bar I moved the valve down until the bolt was free to come out. Inspected the valve and seat and found no damage. The bolt was soft metal. So yesterday morning I put the intake back on and torqued it down before the temps got too hot. This morning I stabbed the distributor and put the alternator back on. Another couple of mornings and I can fire it up again. Son helped with the bolt removal since it required more than two hands. I'm getting too old for this stuff.