I know I have read mutliple times when having the valve cover off to stuff a rag or something in the open well.  Dumb on me for not doing so, but I was only checking the valve clearances and I wasn't dislodging shims or anything yet...and then it happened.  The nut from the feeler gauges came loose and...yep, you guessed it...right down the hole. 

The good news is that I can see it.  It's resting on top of the chain.  My fear is that I am going to have one shot at extracting it and if I miss, then I'm screwed.  What I don't know is if the nut is aluminum or ferrous metal that I can get with a telescoping magnet (which I now have to go buy, probably along with one of those three forked grabbers).  If anyone out there has one of the (Chinese, I am sure) feeler gauages purchased off of Amazon, would you mind checking that nut and seeing if it is aluminum or metal?  It looks like this one http://www.amazon.com/Metric-Thickness-Feeler-Gauge-0-02-1-00mm/dp/B0052IRYVS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1360116489&sr=8-3&keywords=metric+feeler+gauge

I'm open to suggestions as to the best approach to getting this out.  Lesson learned the hard way.Ugh

Small, powerful magnet on a long stick.

You can stick a small neodymium magnet to the end of a long steel drill bit.

.. and when you get it back outta there... Loctite!!

Agreed with above. Telescopic magnet. Get one at any auto parts store.

I can't help but think about A Christmas Story when Ralphy says "ooohhh fuuuudge."

We have all been there.  You will get it out.

This looks promising: http://www.king-tool.com/storefront/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2&zenid=br41j616g81v0lamahkgddc085

It's highly unlikely that the nut isn't magnetic. I would say its definitely not aluminum, but there's a very, very small chance it could be high grade stainless steel which isn't magnetic, at least enough to pick up.

But considering the strength needed in the threads of the nut (taking a metallurgic approach here), I would say its some type of carbon steel, which will be picked up by a magnet no problem.

If not magnetic, some good double stick tape in the end of a stick

OR a small hose attached to a vacuum cleaner - suck it up!

Quote from: adidasguy on February 05, 2013, 09:56:34 PM
If not magnetic, some good double stick tape in the end of a stick

OR a small hose attached to a vacuum cleaner - suck it up!

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Ooh John you're a subtle one ain't ya! ... 

I'll attempt to get it out tonight after a trip to Harbor Freight.  At least I can always count on you guys for comic relief!

I would say use the telescoping magnet. If the nut is ferrous the neodymium magnet with pull the nut up when you get with 1/4-1/2". If it doesn't move, go to plan b with a strong shop vac.

My 0.2c

While you're at Harbor Freight getting the telescoping magnet (which every toolbox should have), pick up one of those bendable pickup tools too. Matter of fact, their website has one that is a 2-in-1, magnet and grabber

http://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch-2-in-1-pickup-tool-94162.html

For anyone who is interested, I was able to get that nut with a pickup tool.  It was plastic after all.  Crisis averted.

I took the nut and bolt off my feeler gauges and just ran some safety wire thought there to keep it all together. 

A plastic nut for an engine component? Holy crap... okay. Noted then. Glad you got it out.

Plastic nut from feeler gauge, not teh engine.

Here is a tip..........

Forget all about using cheap inaccurate feelers and make your own using precision shim-stock. Its more accurate, you can cut it to any shape you want making it more convenient and...........there is nothing to drop off and foul the internals 

Buy some stock.....
http://www.stephensgaskets.co.uk/AssortedShimPacks.html

Cut a nice long strip, wrap a bit of tape around the end to make a handle and write the size on it with a marker.  Something like this....



An old time mechanic showed me how to make and use them years ago and since then  I cant remember the last time I used a traditional feeler set on valve-gear 

Quote from: adidasguy on February 10, 2013, 11:36:10 PM
Plastic nut from feeler gauge, not teh engine.

Oh yeah, oops. I got lost in the translation. Should have re-read the original post.