Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

[ian ash]

Hi there Iv had a nightmare today whilst changing the exhaust shutters on mt 4.3 mercruiser.I stupidly droped the pin that holds in the shutters down the exhaust pipe ie.y piece.Tried always to get it out with no joy.I can feel the pin with my finger in the water outlet on the alpha one stern drive.(The port on the left as you look at the stern) above hydraulic ram hoses.Anyone got any suggestions on how to get it out with out removing stern drive/exhaust etc.Also if i left it threre is it likely to do any damage if I leave it there??


cheers guys ian

 

[Bondo]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

Ayuh,... For 6 nuts,+ a $6.00 gasket, Pull the drive,+ reach in through the bellows with a wire or something...
Or possibly blow it out from the idle relief port with compressed air...

 

[jtybt]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

You got a fishhook remover or long needle nose pliers. Might be worth getting both for future 'emergencies'. Cheap at Harbor Freight.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

A telescopic magnet or chinese fingers (a long tool with 2 or 3 extending fingers on the end) will get it out.

 

[ian ash]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

Cheers Guys thanks for all you advise.
Will the pin attract to a magnet as i take it to be stainless steel.If so i think that may be my best/easyest any way iv just seen a flexible magnet tool which is about 2ft long.I should be able to get close to it with that if it works.
cheers ian

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

how about sucking it up with a vacuum cleaner with a piece of garden hose attached or similar flexible tube from, (swmbo) fish-net stockings to save you emptying the bag on collection of your pin.
swmbo=she who must be obeyed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

The pin is stainless steel and non magnetic.
Pull the drive, it probably needs pulled anyway. When was the last time it was off for ujoint lube, checking alignment, greasing the splines etc.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

To answer your question YES leaving the pin there will do damage. It will rattle around and wear a hole in the Y-Pipe (aluminum) and you will have a water leak.

 

[Northernbob]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

I fished one pin out with a coat hook first try, second one not so easy.
So I pushed a small wire down the tube and out the transom, I then tied two plastic 'pot scrubbers' to the wire and pushed them in the exhaust hole and then pulled them up the pipe with the pin.

 

[jak2108]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

Would it be possible to gain access to the bolts holding on the Y pipe, remove them and move the Y pipe back a little to get access to the pin.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

Yes it would...right after you remove the engine.

 

[ian ash]

Re: Lost Pin Exhaust pipe

Well finally got pin out.Managed to fish it out with a length of stainless steel wire and pair a tweezers.Got it through water port on drive just hooked it up till i could get a grip on it with tweezersand out it came!
Cheers for all your help!!!!