Hi Mike,

Had to pipe up because I've done that. At the crank seal, and using what I call a "mechanics" pick - the knurled kind you see made by General Tool with a straight end and an L-shaped end. I chased it and found it, but yours, up at the camshaft fell into the head onto the "shelf" where all the returning oil gathers, well distant from any return holes. I think that means it will probably stay there forever, not bothering a thing. And if it does "float" loose, it will fall to the bottom of the pan.

Pulling the valve cover gasket won't buy you much, because the opening is under the cam shaft. I checked my dental picks, and all are quite easily attracted by a magnet, but you can do the same test. My opinion is you'll get into more trouble fishing for it, and no trouble at all leaving it be.

After that incident I went to putting a drywall screw into the seals to pull them. Then, I damaged a part of the carrier doing that with poor visual access, so I've abandoned that technique and now just flip them with a screwdriver, trying to guide it carefully so I don't scratch the shaft. I think there are professional tools made for this job. I remember looking at some on line.

This is a B23 head. Not sure how different your B230 is here.


--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

A pessimist's blood type is always b-negative.

Denatl Picks/mechanic picks

There are different Grades. I bought a small set from Sears. They are junk. They appear very strong but they are brittle and break. I have a Snap-on Pick that I swear you can lift the house with. I've abused that poor little tool and it keeps laughing back at me.
Your real issue: I'm guessing the Tip is on the Downstream flow of the oil and will end up in the Pan. Maybe buy a strong magnet and stick it to the oil pan, close to the front of the engine.

ouch,i will need to hide the dental picks from myself.a valve cover gasket is a lot cheaper and less painful than a valve job, roasted bearing,etc...you could try using an extending magnet thing a ma jig,good luck.

cheers,