I'm an idiot. Please help.

[Gearhead999]

Have you tried with a bright light and mechanical fingers to fish it out??

I really don't think it would hurt anything if you left it in there. It will get stuck in the head somewhere. Most likely not far from where you dropped it.

If I couldn't find it, I'd leave it there. The hot coolant with make it soft and mushy and it will just find itself a home. No harm done.

[Moonstang]

Thanx for putting my mind to rest. I'll go to Kragen and get some mech fingers. I don't think I'll get the piece but if I don't try I'll always be thinking about it. Thanx for your input. On a side note I wish I'd done a bit more home work and bought a manifold with a rear water crossover. Seems silly not to use them. Oh well, maybe when I get around to building a new 302.

thanx again

MoonStang

[Moonstang]

After inspecting the bottom of the old manifold (my god is that thing heavy) it looks like whoever put the last set of gaskits on didn't bother to trim the rear ports. Drivers side still intact, other side missing with evedence of gunk and mush. I believe you're right 999 it will find a home. Now that I think about it I'll pull out the old thermostat and take a look. My car always seemed to run a lil' hot. The gauge sits right on the P of TEMP. Eventually I'll get one of those bolt on temp gauges for the heat sender.

MoonStang