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Old 07-16-2012   #1
vilant
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 772
Default How something easy becomes a mpia

Thought you guys might find my ineptitude a little funny. So I'm a construction worker, could build you a house top to bottom w/ all the fixin's. But my automotive skills are limited to changing oil, filters, fuses, and other easy projects. So I bought a used wiper motor from a yard, and decided to install it on Sat.. Easy right? So I get the old shot motor out, no sweat. Get the first screw started on the new one, good. Start the second and PING I drop it down into the motor somewhere. Spend the next hour w/ flashlight, mirror, and magnet trying to find it and fish it out. Finally get it out (now my back is starting to ache from leaning over so much). And it's also 90+ in my garage and I'm soaked. Try it again being careful not to drop the screw and CLANG, are you kidding me? Dropped the socket wrench down into the engine.... and it disappears. Now I'm efn furious.Spend another hour trying pull it out because it wedged itself down in there and refused to come out. So I finally got it out and the rest went smooth, only took 3+ hours. Spent more time fishing out things then I did installing. Anyway, I'm looking to hang a punching bag in my garage for future endeavors, know of any good ones
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Old 07-16-2012   #2
VetteMed
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 1,828
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

Been there, done that -- don't feel too bad!!
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Old 07-16-2012   #3
PhillipsLT5
 
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 2,452
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

forget the punching bag, install A/C unit instead
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Old 07-16-2012   #4
DaveK
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Sudbury, Ontario. Canada
Posts: 1,538
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

That seems to happen with everything I touch these days!
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Old 07-16-2012   #5
XfireZ51
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 9,708
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

Get a telescoping magnet.
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Old 07-17-2012   #6
tccrab
 
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 1,655
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

The first time I did a plenum pull I dropped a plenum bolt down that little gap behind the engine and it rolled back about 4 inches down the bell housing.
If memory serves me, it took about 3 hours of crawling all over the top of the engine with a flashlight and the magnet tool.
I never actually saw the blasted thing, it just magically came back with the magnet after an eternity of fishing it around in the dark recesses.

Feeling your pain....

'Crabs
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Old 07-17-2012   #7
Blue Flame Restorations
 
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Pendleton, IN
Posts: 3,904
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

If you only knew..........What happens in the garage, stays in the garage........
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Old 07-17-2012   #8
C4Fanatic
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sin City
Posts: 149
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

My wife dreads every time I go to the garage...much cussing is sure to follow...
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Old 07-17-2012   #9
captcorvette
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posts: 449
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Seen the movie, and read the book. None of which helped me to not drop stuff. Sometime in my late '50's I noticed that my dexterity wasn't what it used to be and neither was my sense of touch. Mental note! Be careful as you will be prone to drop stuff! Didn't help.

So now if I have a job that should take an hour I allow 3. If it is one of my favourite jobs like plumbing or spark chasing then I allow 4 or more. Most of the time is spent barking out profanities at myself but that doesn't help anyone within earshot. OK so most folks think I am a bit crazy but if the foo sh_ts then I am guilty.

Glad to know that I am in good company.

By the bye did I ever tell you guys that I hate plumbing and spark chasing? Oh yeah guess I might have mentioned it in the past.
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Old 07-17-2012   #10
ScottZ95ZR1
 
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pendleton, IN
Posts: 659
Default Re: How something easy becomes a mpia

Just had my plenum off and purchased Marc's DVD prior to doing so - best $50 I've ever spent on the car.

Studied the DVD a few times and knew my fat butt wasn't sitting up on the plenum like Marc does when it came time to remove the MAP sensor bracket.

And Marc says "be very careful with the fasteners - if you drop them back here you'll likely never retrieve them, and they are no longer available from GM".

One of mine was original and the other was stainless, so I knew someone like me had been there before. But I had been forewarned!

His words were going through my mind as I was starting the first screw (the original one), while putting the bracket back in place. I was being very, very careful.... and you know what I did.

And it was not to be found!
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