The Ford Barn

mhsprecher · 08-24-2014, 09:43 PM

My starter would not engage. I checked everything. I finally removed the starter and one of the bolts holding the Bendix spring had sheered off. I wanted to retrieve the broken bolt and one of our local chapter gurus told me to put a strong magnet on the flywheel and spin the engine around to pick it up.

I got a cheap magnet at Home Depot and turned the engine over with the crank and picked it up first trip around. Easy and cheap.

Gary WA · 08-24-2014, 09:48 PM

Nice Job/Photo

Tom Wesenberg · 08-24-2014, 10:08 PM

Sure is nice when things go that well.
The magnet looks just like the pair I bought from Fleet Farm for a couple bucks.

Joe K · 08-24-2014, 10:27 PM

Can you tell us the Home Depot Web Page which shows the magnet?

Thanks
Joe K

DougVieyra · 08-24-2014, 11:10 PM

This issue is not new. In the FORD SERVICE BULLETINS of 1929 (?) they mention the common problem of Ford Service mechanics dropping bolts down the housing. They recommended to their Service Departments that they drop the front radius rod (wish-bone) to gain access to the hole at the bottom of the flywheel housing, and thereby opening up a 'fishing hole' to retrieve the 'run away' bolt.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-24-2014, 11:34 PM

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I've not heard of this solution before. Sounds easier then a magnet on a flex rod. I can't tell how long it is. my concern, would be,that the magnet, if to long, could stick to the fly housing. I'll try it next time I run into the broken bendix dilemma

mhsprecher · 08-25-2014, 04:50 AM

Here are the magnets on the HD web page: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-Al...2708/203121065

I tried the magnet on the flex rod and it would not go down far enough. I was worried about the magnet getting stuck in the bell housing, too, but if you can see the way I mounted it, on the back side of the flywheel ring gear, the magnet does not protrude such that it might get stuck on the bell housing. Those magnets from HD were perfect for the job, just the right size and strong enough to stay put and to pick up the bolt and lock washer!

mot · 08-25-2014, 09:58 AM

the new rare earth magnets are not solid metal
they are a compressed type of powder encased in a thin metal case
if they got caught they would just disintegrate
if you drop one of the thin ones they just break apart
let two powerful ones come together quickly and they will break

takomaned · 08-25-2014, 11:48 AM

Hi Milford, I have some magnets that are used in the electronic throttles on new cars.
They will hold 4 or 5 pounds in place. Their profile is about 3/8". I'll save one for you.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-25-2014, 11:51 AM

Old speaker magnets are STRONG, & you can break/grind a chunk to fit where you need it.
Sometimes a glob of real STICKY grease on the flywheel will pick up a broken bolt, also.
Bill W.

Barry B./ Ma. · 08-25-2014, 12:24 PM

I tried that once, it was a strong ring magnet but it got stuck in the bell housing so I had to remove the engine to get it out so be careful of the size of the magnet, not much room in there.

Mitch//pa · 08-25-2014, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

I tried that once, it was a strong ring magnet but it got stuck in the bell housing so I had to remove the engine to get it out so be careful of the size of the magnet, not much room in there.

i had the same thing happen and it wasnt a super strong one..

Joe K · 08-25-2014, 04:29 PM

Maybe attaching a string to the magnet before you run it around the loop? Maybe a STRONG string?

Strong magnets come with warnings about getting too close or damaging one's self while trying to separate.

Joe K

mhsprecher · 08-25-2014, 05:53 PM

I guess there is always a risk of that. I think with the one I had there was little chance of that, but one never knows. Mine was stuck to the ring gear and the pressure plate side of the flywheel and was strong enough to stay put. Had it gotten really close to something, it might have migrated, but with proper clearance it shouldn't.

BlueSunoco · 08-25-2014, 06:32 PM

The old timers used to tell me back in the late 60's, if that happened put a glob of axle grease on there, and you could fish a broken bolt out that way, turning the motor over while the grease 'grabbed' the broken bolt or whatever you were fishing for.

caboose · 08-25-2014, 07:48 PM

Very neat trick indeed. I fished out the bolt as most do using a flexible rod with a magnet. Probably from Northern Tool. What likely was different in my case; the bolt that came loose was a carriage bolt that appeared to have been hammered into place. This actually happened on the first day I drove the car. I would include a photo of the bolt, but I'm in AL, not TX.

08-24-2014, 09:48 PM	#2
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,107	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Nice Job/Photo __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

08-24-2014, 10:08 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Sure is nice when things go that well. The magnet looks just like the pair I bought from Fleet Farm for a couple bucks.

08-24-2014, 10:27 PM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Can you tell us the Home Depot Web Page which shows the magnet? Thanks Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

08-24-2014, 11:10 PM	#5
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing This issue is not new. In the FORD SERVICE BULLETINS of 1929 (?) they mention the common problem of Ford Service mechanics dropping bolts down the housing. They recommended to their Service Departments that they drop the front radius rod (wish-bone) to gain access to the hole at the bottom of the flywheel housing, and thereby opening up a 'fishing hole' to retrieve the 'run away' bolt. - Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif

08-24-2014, 11:34 PM	#6
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've not heard of this solution before. Sounds easier then a magnet on a flex rod. I can't tell how long it is. my concern, would be,that the magnet, if to long, could stick to the fly housing. I'll try it next time I run into the broken bendix dilemma

08-25-2014, 04:50 AM	#7
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Here are the magnets on the HD web page: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Empire-Al...2708/203121065 I tried the magnet on the flex rod and it would not go down far enough. I was worried about the magnet getting stuck in the bell housing, too, but if you can see the way I mounted it, on the back side of the flywheel ring gear, the magnet does not protrude such that it might get stuck on the bell housing. Those magnets from HD were perfect for the job, just the right size and strong enough to stay put and to pick up the bolt and lock washer!

08-25-2014, 09:58 AM	#8
mot Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sacramento Ca Posts: 1,179	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing the new rare earth magnets are not solid metal they are a compressed type of powder encased in a thin metal case if they got caught they would just disintegrate if you drop one of the thin ones they just break apart let two powerful ones come together quickly and they will break

08-25-2014, 11:48 AM	#9
takomaned Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near D.C. in Maryland Posts: 106	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Hi Milford, I have some magnets that are used in the electronic throttles on new cars. They will hold 4 or 5 pounds in place. Their profile is about 3/8". I'll save one for you. __________________ Ned in MD

08-25-2014, 11:51 AM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Old speaker magnets are STRONG, & you can break/grind a chunk to fit where you need it. Sometimes a glob of real STICKY grease on the flywheel will pick up a broken bolt, also. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-25-2014, 12:24 PM	#11
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing I tried that once, it was a strong ring magnet but it got stuck in the bell housing so I had to remove the engine to get it out so be careful of the size of the magnet, not much room in there.

08-25-2014, 04:29 PM	#13
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Maybe attaching a string to the magnet before you run it around the loop? Maybe a STRONG string? Strong magnets come with warnings about getting too close or damaging one's self while trying to separate. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

08-25-2014, 05:53 PM	#14
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing I guess there is always a risk of that. I think with the one I had there was little chance of that, but one never knows. Mine was stuck to the ring gear and the pressure plate side of the flywheel and was strong enough to stay put. Had it gotten really close to something, it might have migrated, but with proper clearance it shouldn't.

08-25-2014, 06:32 PM	#15
BlueSunoco Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Windy City Posts: 937	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing The old timers used to tell me back in the late 60's, if that happened put a glob of axle grease on there, and you could fish a broken bolt out that way, turning the motor over while the grease 'grabbed' the broken bolt or whatever you were fishing for.

08-25-2014, 07:48 PM	#16
caboose Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sulphur Springs & Saltillo, Texas Posts: 135	Re: A neat trick to retrieve a bolt from inside the bell housing Very neat trick indeed. I fished out the bolt as most do using a flexible rod with a magnet. Probably from Northern Tool. What likely was different in my case; the bolt that came loose was a carriage bolt that appeared to have been hammered into place. This actually happened on the first day I drove the car. I would include a photo of the bolt, but I'm in AL, not TX.