Oops! I dropped it. 4.3L merc Thunderbolt IV 2bbl.

Jbeezer82

Recruit
Joined
Jul 25, 2021
Messages
3
I recently changed the distributor sending unit(lil black box works off magnetic sensor) under the distributor cap... while hooking up the small ground wire from the ignition amp box to the underside of dis. I dropped the small 1/4" drive 3/8ths socket. unlike many other things I dropped while doing this project I never heard it hit the small amount of water in the rear of engine comp that the pump does not remove... Being that I'm kinda new to boat repair and not a everyday mechanical tech. My partner and co owner of the boat is worried that it somehow ended up inside the bellhousing. I understand his concern but do not think it is possible being that the engine is in the boat sitting in the water in the marina. I've spent about 3 hrs looking and probing with a high powered magnet on a stick I made so as to be able to reach all areas. No socket! Can anyone with advance experience with this engine layout, reassure me, before I attempt to start the boat. That I will not destroy anything doing so! Please try not to make to much fun of me publicly😂

PS I have personally seen a 500cc piston with a 3/8ths extension jammed straight threw it! not mine thankfully but Dropsie Dave will never live it down
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,604
first, welcome aboard

unless you dropped it into the engine, its just bilge trash at this point.

no way the socket can jump up unbolt the dust shield and get in the bell houseing

however it would be a good idea to clean your bilge, especially if you have standing water. you should not have standing water.

also, you are posting about a Mercruiser in the OMC forum. I have flagged this to be moved to the proper Mercruiser forum.
 

Jbeezer82

Recruit
Joined
Jul 25, 2021
Messages
3
first, welcome aboard

unless you dropped it into the engine, its just bilge trash at this point.

no way the socket can jump up unbolt the dust shield and get in the bell houseing

however it would be a good idea to clean your bilge, especially if you have standing water. you should not have standing water.

also, you are posting about a Mercruiser in the OMC forum. I have flagged this to be moved to the proper Mercruiser forum.
Thanks so much for getting to me so quickly. really I've been reading posts on this forum for about 3 months. all yours guys are awesome
 
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