Seeking thoughts and advice on Nuts in my head ... cylinder head that is

[msampsel]

I may have lost a brass nut in my head. It is ~ 1/2" diameter and 3/8" long.
I've fished around through the thermostat housing hole and found nothing.

My thoughts are these:

1.) Since the water pump flows to the top of the radiator from the head (so I think)
put a screen on the thermostat hole (leave out thermo) and bolt the housing and run the engine for a while and hope the
nut shows. Car is currently at extreme rake for speedo cable seal redo (back end raised). Was raised in the
front when the nut went missing.

2.) Ah who cares it's just a brass nut

3.) Remove the head and shake it out if 1 does not work

Suggestions, comments, ridicule and laughter are all welcome here

[fj20spl311]

I don't think it went into the thermostat housing....look around on the frame.

If its in the water system, who cares....the worst thing I can think of is it gets stuck in the thermostat and holds it open.

[msampsel]

I don't think it went into the thermostat housing....look around on the frame.

If its in the water system, who cares....the worst thing I can think of is it gets stuck in the thermostat and holds it open.

Thanks, I'm liking the who cares part ....

I've looked very carefully on the frame Phil. Will look again on frame. Since I had the thermostat housing off when I was working
on the temp sensor repair there was an ample hole for it to fall in

[msampsel]

I probably should have listened to Phil. Saved me some time. Now I have the head off and the header out.
Will be going to studs instead of bolts for the head. Saw the header gasket was missing the
middle piece, that will get fixed. The nut was in the the head I shook it out.

Wonder if there is anything special to do to the head once it's out.
For the "while your in there itis syndrome"?
Oh yea and my valves all have a Chevy emblem on them!

Pictures available on request

[spl310]

Are you SURE it is a chevy bow tie and not the Nissan hamburger?

[msampsel]

Not positive I guess.
Here is a picture of them (could use a little cleaning ...)
Thought it was chevy, maybe not

P1030464.JPG

[spl310]

Nissan.

[exit64]

You are not the first person to think that.....

[msampsel]

You are not the first person to think that.....

Thanks, maybe the last though after the fine photo
exit64, I notice your signature contains a 69 hp vehicle. You might enjoy
this post on a 57 hp @9500 or so vehicle from Jay Leno's garage. It's a sweet Honda roadster for sure.

[Gregs672000]

Well, while the head is off you MIGHT consider going to stainless valve seats, as the brass tend to wear out and can drop out if they are not staked properly... maybe do a quick valve grind to freshen it up, change out seals... just a thought though...

[msampsel]

Well, while the head is off you MIGHT consider going to stainless valve seats, as the brass tend to wear out and can drop out if they are not staked properly... maybe do a quick valve grind to freshen it up, change out seals... just a thought though...

Thanks for the input Greg, your suggestions are always welcome.

I need to look and see again, I thought my valve seats (same as the guides correct the tube underneath the valve stem slides through) are brass.
There is about 25 K miles on this engine head etc. Rebuild in 74 or so.
Maybe I can wait some?

Assume I would need to find someone to do the valve work. Maybe mail the head somewhere.

[notoptoy]

Any competent machine shop should be able to examine your head. Oh, and they can fix it too!
If the seats are brass, and the valve guides are brass, I would have both replaced while it's off. My machine shop guy was adamant that brass guides should be replaced, they will drop over time. That said, if they are in good shape you can run it until you do have a problem and it could be a long time or never. Hardened seats will better withstand the use of unleaded fuels.

[dbrick]

If at all possible, do it all and be done with it. Valve job as needed, check head for warpage, top quality head and manifold gasket and studs, new top quality thermostat, antisieze on thermostat studs and nuts. cheaper in the long run.

[msampsel]

If at all possible, do it all and be done with it. Valve job as needed, check head for warpage, top quality head and manifold gasket and studs, new top quality thermostat, antisieze on thermostat studs and nuts. cheaper in the long run.

Hoping these are top quality head and manifold gaskets.


Will take the other fine advice from Greg, notoptoy and you to heart, too darn hot for a roadster in AZ soon anyway