Main Bearing Side Bolt...
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Main Bearing Side Bolt...
So I went to flush my radiator and wanted to get all the existing stuff out. I went to drain the block, checked my Haynes manual which showed the drain plug to make sure and backed out a bolt. Stupid me, I ended up backing out one of the main bearing side bolts. I heard a clunk in the oil pan as something dropped. Next I drained the oil pan and fished the object to the drain hole hoping to get it out, but I can't. Its a cylinder shape, with one end machined smaller and that end squared. It also has a hole in the middle of it, but not down length-wise, just the middle. I talked to my buddy who used to be a mechanic on imports and he said it is probably a dowel or spacer and not really something to worry about. I am coming to you guys for your opinions and hopefully some insight as to what this thing is and if I will end up damaging my truck. Thanks
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
So I went to flush my radiator and wanted to get all the existing stuff out. I went to drain the block, checked my Haynes manual which showed the drain plug to make sure and backed out a bolt. Stupid me, I ended up backing out one of the main bearing side bolts. I heard a clunk in the oil pan as something dropped. Next I drained the oil pan and fished the object to the drain hole hoping to get it out, but I can't. Its a cylinder shape, with one end machined smaller and that end squared. It also has a hole in the middle of it, but not down length-wise, just the middle. I talked to my buddy who used to be a mechanic on imports and he said it is probably a dowel or spacer and not really something to worry about. I am coming to you guys for your opinions and hopefully some insight as to what this thing is and if I will end up damaging my truck. Thanks
You backed out one of the main cap bolts and in the process the cylinder shaped main cap dowel dropped off.
I wouldn't start the engine till it's fixed. Ford says do not use the bolt again, so you'll need a new one. There's several different types, so you'll need to take it with you.
The Ford dealer with the largest parts inventory in your area is Serramonte Ford in Colma.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
So I went to flush my radiator and wanted to get all the existing stuff out. I went to drain the block, checked my Haynes manual which showed the drain plug to make sure and backed out a bolt. Stupid me, I ended up backing out one of the main bearing side bolts. I heard a clunk in the oil pan as something dropped. Next I drained the oil pan and fished the object to the drain hole hoping to get it out, but I can't. Its a cylinder shape, with one end machined smaller and that end squared. It also has a hole in the middle of it, but not down length-wise, just the middle. I talked to my buddy who used to be a mechanic on imports and he said it is probably a dowel or spacer and not really something to worry about. I am coming to you guys for your opinions and hopefully some insight as to what this thing is and if I will end up damaging my truck. Thanks
Do not run the engine till it's fixed!
Ford sez the bolt cannot be reused, so you'll need a new one, there are several different types, so take the old one with you.
The Ford dealer closest to you that has the largest parts inventory is Serramonte Ford in Colma.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
I take it this is going to be a real pain to fix. How much trouble am I looking at here, whats the procedure and what happens if I don't fix it? That last question is just out of curiosity to help me better understand the function of the spacer/dowel, I fully intend to fix it.
