Reading ETKA hardware #s

[Tom Nas]

Marc Swanson <marcswanson at mediaone.net> wrote:

> > The second disadvantage - that it's usually austenetic - can be a RIGHT
> > PAIN IN THE TITS!  Ever seen anyone drop a stainless cam cover nut into a
> > bore? There is no corrosion risk up there, and retrieval of stainless bits
> > that fall into the wrong places can be - erm - awkward?
>
>Hehe, oh yeah.  Have to agree that this is a big PITA.  I purchased a pair of
>extra long needle nose pliers just for this reason :-)

For this purpose (and dropping bolts, nuts etc in the engine bay in 
general) I've bought what's called a 'third hand'. It's a long, thin 
telescopic arm (about 70 cm) with a trigger on one end, pushing the trigger 
makes three 'claws' come out at the other end gripping anything you can't 
access otherwise. It's probably my cheapest tool ($2) and the one that's 
saved my @$$ more than anything else. (How much does that tell you about my 
abilities?) :-)

If you don't know what I'm talking about, I could send a digi-pic.

Regards, Tom