TC33D Starter bolt lost inside

[oldfordfarming]

Hello folks, I was trying to complete the starter relay fix on my TC33 and couldn't find the trigger wire connection so I took off the starter. Solved that problem but while trying to put the starter back on I lost the top bolt in the bell housing. When I took the starter off I thought it was a stud on top and bottom but it turns out the top bolt slips inside the case if your not careful. Now I'm not sure what to do. Do I need to split the darn thing in half to retrieve that top bolt? I cant install a new one because the bell housing is not accessible from the starter hole. :mur::mur:
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks you,
Jim
From the Columbia river gorge,Washington side.

 

[Peter 315]

That s*cks maybeone of these will work Amazon.com: Auto Repair Flexible Slender Metal Magnet Pick up Tool: Automotive

 

[IH3444]

You could also get an extreme high performance magnet from Amazon. Place it on the flywheel and rotate it and allow it to pick up the stud/bolt. Do this very, very carefully if the flex magnetic wand doesn't get it out. Is there a view plate on the bottom at all?

 

[oldfordfarming]

Thanks for the ideas! I will get the flex magnet and try that although it will most likely stick to the bell housing and not venture back toward the flywheel where the stud is most likely sitting. I tried my straight magnet but of course it couldn't make the corner. I have a 4 finger flexible grabber too and once through the hole it stayed on the inside wall. The bottom might have a removable plate, that is a good idea. I never thought to look last night as I was in disbelief that I now probably have to split the thing in half!!!

I still cant believe that it didn't have a stud like the bottom. See attached picture.

 

[DwayneB]

You'll get it out. Might take some creativity.

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks for the ideas! I will get the flex magnet and try that although it will most likely stick to the bell housing and not venture back toward the flywheel where the stud is most likely sitting. I tried my straight magnet but of course it couldn't make the corner. I have a 4 finger flexible grabber too and once through the hole it stayed on the inside wall. The bottom might have a removable plate, that is a good idea. I never thought to look last night as I was in disbelief that I now probably have to split the thing in half!!!

I still cant believe that it didn't have a stud like the bottom. See attached picture.

I don't see what you're referring to in this pic? I see a bolt backed out some, but is that what you are referring to?

The only other way other than an access plate below might be using a vacuum cleaner tool designed for cleaning out flexible dryer ducting. The end MIGHT just be able to get to places otherwise inaccessible.
This:Amazon.com - Dryer Vent Vacuum Cleaner Attachment - Vacuum Fittings

Now, the other question is: could you leave the bolt where it is/ what would happen, worst case? If there is enough of a cavity below the flywheel teeth the bolt isn't likely to travel anywhere. In fact you could almost guarantee that outcome if you cleaned the metal below where the bolt lies and glued and attached magnetic flexible pad there to hold the bolt in place. Just brainstorming here. Or is that brain-STORMY-Daniels-ing?!).

To test if the bolt is touching the flywheel, you could put the tractor in highest 2 wheel drive gear, with the key OFF, and fuel shut off too, and jack up rear wheels and support them. Then move a rear wheel slowly, a complete rotation of the flywheel and see if it jams up or contacts the flywheel teeth at all. Mark the flywheel with chalk at starting point of rotation and you or someone else watch the rotation carefully to determine full circle.
One last idea would be to pour some liquid into the bell housing to a point where it might encompass the bolt and then thicken/harder enough to restrict any further movement, without reaching up to the flywheel teeth. Something like self leveling floor mud or minimal expanding foam or such...

 

[ruffdog]

Try a small and powerful rare earth magnet jammed in the end of a piece of hose or fuel line.

 

[lt190b]

Look around on the ground around where you were working real good, maybe even move the tractor. Things I think I have dropped inside of something I often find them outside of it

 

[fried1765]

Try a small and powerful rare earth magnet jammed in the end of a piece of hose or fuel line.

A great idea!
If only I can remember that when I might need it.

 

[oldfordfarming]

Wow, great ideas guys. I talkyto a friendly NH dealer who said it is a stud that must have backed out. He said there is a inspection hole behind the loader plate that I should be able to pull out and reach it with my magnet. I値l let everyone know how that goes when I get the loader off. Thanks all for the help!