Sunday night, Aug. 2, 2026

Today I decided to install my new valve covers on the SBC in my 55 Chevy wagon. What should have been a relatively easy task eventually turned into a real clusterfuck — one that’s going to complicate my life for the next few days. Let me explain …

The problem began when I started installing the new valve covers. The studs I inserted in the mounting holes would NOT line up with the holes in the valve cover. I worked with the damn thing repeatedly, and could only get 3 of the 4 studs in the holes. I eventually decided I need to enlarge one of the mounting holes.

Before I did that I tried to adjust the studs and try to get them to line up. I decided to try the other valve cover and see if that alignment would work on this side. In the process of monkeying with the studs, I unscrewed one almost completely. When I took the valve cover off, the stud fell over onto the head, and dropped into an oil drain return hole. I tried to feel for the stud, and ended up pushing it further into the oil return hole. DAMN!

Searching on Google, I found that the stud will likely wind up in the bottom of the oil pan. However, it could also cause a problem if it jams up a lifter or gets sucked up into the oil pump. Every question I asked AI answered that I really, really, REALLY need to pull the head and locate that stud rather than take a chance that nothing will happen.

DAMN! (AGAIN)

I ordered a cheap borescope for my Android phone to see if I can locate that stud. There’s a chance if its still in the head that I might be able to retrieve it with a magnet. Slim chance, I know. But at least I’ll know its there.

So it looks like I’ll need to remove the carb, the distributor, the intake, the headers and finally, the head. Its not complicated, just more work than I was expecting to tackle just 10 days before we leave for the Tri-Five Nationals. I’m not real thrilled about it, to say the least.

Tomorrow I’ll hit the header bolts with Kroil several times. The borescope should arrive tomorrow, and then I’ll take a dive to see if I can locate it. Probably doesn’t matter much — I still need to recover the stud. I’ll have to buy gaskets for the intake and head tomorrow too.

Well, I’m signing off for now. I’m pretty disgusted, really. And I’m close to just ignoring the lost stud.

LAST MINUTE UPDATE. After reviewing lots of photos of the standard SBC head (see above!), the hole that the stud dropped down goes directly into the lifter valley. In theory, I should only need to remove the the carb and intake to locate the stud. I ordered that Android phone endoscope, and I am confident that if I use that, I will locate the stud in the lifter valley. I would much rather just remove and replace the intake! Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it works out that way!