I just dropped a bolt down the front timing cover. It's one of the 12mm that holds down the upper chain guide thing. sh*t damn f*ck c*cksucker. Is it necessary to get the bolt out??? i mean-will it screw my engine or will it just drop to the bottom and cause no harm??? i have an extra bolt in case you were going to say....

please help a down brother in need....!

Try using a telescoping magnetic thingie to fish it out.

You need to drop the oil pan that cannot stay in there unless you feel like doing more work later like a full rebuild. Try fishing it out like above but if that doesn't work you need to get that thing out of there at all costs.

just drop the pan and do an oil change. you'll find it.

Get the magnetic antenna thingy, Its your call on taken out the bolt if that doesn't work. There is a screen on the oil-pick making in impossible for the bolt to cause damage to the oil-pump. I really doubt the bolt would jump up out the oil pan and lodge itself somewhere that can cause damage but anything is possible.

Without a doubt, get that bolt out of there. It can easily get wedged under the chain. If that happens, you'll be removing more than just the pan. If you can see the bolt, use a magnetic tool, or one of those tools with the little fingers that grab stuff. Soorry, I don't have the "proper"name for it. Good luck.

I couldnt get it out w/ a telescoping magnet. i might try the flexible magnet or the "claws" thing. I can just barely see the head of the bolt down there-but im wondering-can i knock it down into the oil pan and just drop the pan??

I would still try to fish it out. I *think* there is not much clearance for an item like a bolt to get around the chain/crank/oil pump area to the lower oil pan.

yeah, theres not enough room between the chain and the main cap for the bolt to come out. i had to push it up w/ a screwdriver while a friend used the magbnet from the top. it's all good. now all i have to do is extract the two cam cap bolts that snapped in the head........
If you ever do more than 2-3 cam swaps-GET NEW CAM CAP BOLTS!!!!they stretch over time after tightening so many times and will snap off in the head. no good!