Valve Adjustment ? Help..

[Boogers]

Hello all,
I have had my 78 SC for about 4 years now taking care of all the little things that need some TLC. I have rebuilt all my calipers and pistons, replacing old hoses etc, new spark plugs, cap and rotor etc and have decided in taking the plunge to adjust the valves. I took the left top cover off and found this pin laying on the engine bay. Before I move forward I want to make sure I know what this is and is this a bad sign of something? Maybe it just fell from the sky and I'm good to go. I also have a pic of my valve cover, why the heck is it so dirty, what is this telling me? Any help much appreciated.

Thanks,
Boogers

[stevej37]

Looks like a head stud to me. Usually they break with the nut still on the end...so I'm not so sure.

Just to clarify...you found it under the valve cover..right?
If so..it must be a head stud. I just wonder where the nut went??

[proporsche]

when you said engine bay ..do you mean in the engine compartment or inside the engine behind the valve cover??Can you make a bigger pic of it..for a broken engine case stud ,this looks way to sharp on the edges...
Ivan

[gomezoneill]

Maybe part of a tool that was dropped in there whilst other work was being performed.

[gomezoneill]

Take a pick of the pointed end head on.

[boyt911sc]

Booger,

That piece (rod) you found in/on your engine is NOT part of a cylinder head stud. It is a tool inadvertently left by someone who last worked on your motor. While you are there, remove the lower valve covers and inspect the barrel nuts for the lower cylinder head studs.

What is the diameter of the mysterious piece? The cylinder head studs are approximately 8-mm in diameter. Keep us posted. Thanks.

Tony

[sugarwood]

Start a new thread and title it, "Found this under the valve cover. Is it part of the engine or a tool?"

[gomezoneill]

Now that I think of it that looks like part of a spring loaded punch tool.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiT4r-UgarpAhUDCM0KHZ2jAhIQwqsBMAB6BAgMEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DV3 r7vE8Di0A&usg=AOvVaw2qSYK7tZRFXqC20gO07-XR

[gomezoneill]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Start a new thread and title it, "Found this under the valve cover. Is it part of the engine or a tool?"

I think he meant below the VC on the sheet metal. Not sure though.

[Boogers]

Thanks all for the help, I just want to make sure I'm not going to screw my engine up by finishing up and putting my covers back on.

proporsche, when I took the top left cover off, I was just laying there just under the valve cover below the #1 cylinder on the engine sheet metal tray. I don't remember any kind of clank so I don't think it fell out but I'm not 100% sure.

Here are some better pics.

[gomezoneill]

Looks like brass.

[Solamar]

Looks like a punch to set upholstery snaps. Although that would be very odd in the engine bay.

Certainly not a head stud. You dodged that bullet!

Maybe buy a lotto ticket today

[proporsche]

As the boys said ..you are lucky ..then again it was not inside the engine..good for you..it could be anything..my guess is homemade pin when you do the camshaft timing..and when the person was removing it from the bracket it has fallen on the space where the spark plug goes....just a wild guess thou.....add.i c on the sheet metal same thinking from me..some kind of helping tool..

[gomezoneill]

As far as the black substance that's normal it's open to the atmosphere.

[Boogers]

Thanks all for the great feedback!. Just an odd piece to find for sure. Have a great Mothers day all!

Cheers,
Boogers.