[RocktimusPryme]

Im not really looking for much in the way of advice, Im just venting. Freak occurrence. I guess Im lucky it seemed to occur on startup rather than driving.

After Thanksgiving dinner I decided to load up the dog and take a holiday ride. Got in the FIrebird, didnt want to start. Which is strange. After a couple failed attempts I got out and started poking around. Thought maybe a vacuum hose or something had some loose the way it was acting.

Went to remove the air cleaner, the wingnut was sitting on top, but I could see there was no stud and my heart dropped. Removed all the plugs and none were damaged. After looking with my borescope I finally found it wedged into the #7 intake valve.

Stupid. I have a very short stud because of low hood clearance. And it must have worked its way out. I guess ill start loctighting in air cleaner studs.

I *think* that initially it wasnt in the valve but was holding the butterflies open before it worked its way lower. The fact that it never fired off might have saved me from total catastrophe. I can see where it just barely kissed the piston but I dont see any evidence the valve hit the piston. Still, thats my big concern at this point, the valve being bent and or the valve seat being damaged. Im not overly concerned about the small mark in the piston. I would obviously prefer the piston to not have been hit at all, but I dont think it warrants blowing the engine apart.

Long story short I removed the intake and driver valve cover. I was able to rotate the engine until the #7 intake opened further than it was wedged and pulled out the stud with a magnet.

Of course nobody has RA-IV size intake gaskets in stock locally so I had to order a set. I think the plan is to bang it back together, and then do a leakdown and or compression test in the cylinder. If it tests fine Im just going to send it. The valve seems to open and close normally from a visual standpoint.

Silver lining, with the intake off Im going to separate the water passage. Ive wanted to do that forever but didnt want to take the intake off just for that.

Whats the best cutting tool to get that done? Jigsaw? Its an aluminum RPM.