I`m a clumsy idiot! Help!

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

I need advice from someone who has had one of these engines pretty well taken apart. Better yet, someone who has seen one out of the car.
I was about to take off the heatshield above the exhaust manifold and was testing to see if I had the right socket. I had it on a three inch extension and had just lifted it off the bolt when it slipped out of my fingers and fell down on the top of the alternator and slid forward. What is down there? I tried looking with my extension mirror but I can`t see a damned thing. I have visions of it jamming something and I`m afraid to start the engine. I can`t see it, and I can`t reach anything, so sooner or later I guess I`m going to have to start the car and hope it falls clear.
Any ideas short of yanking the motor?
Curse these tiny little engine bays!

 

[Jacobra]

Try reaching around with an extendable magnet ad see if you pick it up

 

[mp3-79bronco]

if it didnt go in the alternator youd be fine lol...

 

[MSMS3]

Try reaching around with an extendable magnet ad see if you pick it up

+1. Those little magnet wands (look like an extendable car antenna with a magnet on the end) are lifesavers. Just extend that puppy, and stick it down where you think the bolt went, pull it back out. Presto.

 

[cymx5]

I've heard of one rule, but it's not the smartest. If you drop it, rattle it, shake it, smash it, and it doesn't come out...it really shouldn't come out .

Somehow I found a golfball sized rock wedged in my front control arm against the ABS sensor. Thankfully nothing broke.

+another for the extendable magnet. A couple bucks at Autozone. I have the combo mirror/magnet/diamond tip pen version of that little gimmick.

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

I used to have one of those magnets too. I have no idea where it went. At this point, I`m thinking if the socket/extension hasn`t fallen out yet, it is probably wedged in so tight that a small magnet is not pulling it out.

 

[djza2u1]

Jack up the car, grab a light, and pull that s*** out. It is not a black hole under there if it is stuck you should be able to see it. While doing my downpiipe i droped about a dozen things down the bay. That is why i cary 3 expandible magnets and tongs.

 

[cymx5]

Jack up the car, grab a light, and pull that s*** out. It is not a black hole under there if it is stuck you should be able to see it. While doing my downpiipe i droped about a dozen things down the bay. That is why i cary 3 expandible magnets and tongs.

I don't have thongs, but my girlfriend lets me take hers every once in a while...

oh....tongs, not thongs....sorry

 

[irnbru83]

I don't have thongs, but my girlfriend lets me take hers every once in a while...

oh....tongs, not thongs....sorry

Chicks don't seem to appreciate being slapped in the face with either.

 

[HOBDisease]

Your extension and socket are just resting on the alternator mount bracket against the motor, you'll be fine.