Lost spark plug

[magaoidh]

Changing plugs in my stock 73 2 litre,miss the hole and the plug for no.2 cylinder fell out of the socket.
Can’t find it is it possible that it fell among moving parts?
Gulp!

[URY914]

I think about 10% of 914's have a lost SP trapped between the sheetmetal and the cylinder head. There's no moving parts it will get into.

[magaoidh]

Thanks for that mate,I suspect I have managed to lose the SP on top of the cylinder head.
Any one with good pics of the cylinder head left?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Cylinder head from the side of the motor:





Here's a motor without engine tin. You can see that there are a few places a plug can wind up sitting. Nothing moving in the area, though.





If you really want to get the plug out of there, you'll have to take off the over-cylinder engine tin. Probably possible to do with the engine in the car, but absolutely a big pain in the behind.

--DD

[magaoidh]

Thanks Dave great pics!

[GregAmy]

I found a plug on top of a 2L I just disassembled...maybe try a magnet on a stick and fish around to see if you can snag it?

Top tip: I use a short piece of fuel line pushed onto the top of the plug to remove the insert the plugs. That way you can ensure you have a firm grip on them as you're removing and installing. Plus, with the fuel line you minimize the risk of cross-threading.