Update on the motor that wouldn't kick over

Some of you may know that I came to this forum for help with the motor not kicking over. I finally brought it into my highschool auto shop and me and a senior took it apart and we found out that the reason it wasn't kicking over was because the pistons were just caked and I mean just caked with carbon. So we cleaned it out and got it turning over perfectly. I was so happy that she does that Now. BUT and there always is a but haha one of the freshman kids were fingering the thing when I was away and dropped a screw down the cam chain opening so it's sitting at the bottom of the crank case and I was wondering how hard it is to split the case. If it's too hard can someone tell me if it's possible to just open up a side of the motor to access the crankcase? I have a long magnet on a wire so all I need it to get on the side of the crankcase. Thanks guys and tomarrow hopefully I will post a video of the pistons moving up and down. Thanks again, Alex

Might reach screw with a telescoping magnet through the cam chain tunnel.

Another option would be remove the oil filter, hoping screw would fall out but it probably won't. So remove oil pan which likely needs a good cleaning anyway, including the oil pump screen.

Screw should be in the oil pan.

Good Fortune!

I did remove the oil pan and filter and everything but it didn't fall out. But it had some of the sludgiest oil ever haha but I did take a little camera with a light on it down there and I couldn't see it that way either. Is it possible to take off the side cover an remove the alternator and get in that way?

That nasty sludge is common on old engines.

There really is no way inside the engine from the sides. If you are 100% certain you cannot get the screw from the cam chain tunnel or from the bottom with the pan off (you did turn the engine upside down, didn't you?), then splitting the cases is probably the next step. It isn't really complicated, though you need patience. A factory shop manual would be invaluable for this project.

With pan removed, could look from underneath (using good light and mirror) while gently hand-turning crankshaft with the 17mm nut, hoping to see the screw.

Be careful not to damage cam chain sprocket area on crankshaft, as screw might be lodged in this area.

Screw might possibly fall out, or become visible where lodged somewhere along the crankshaft.

Another option could be to flush the lower end (crankshaft area) with a solvent such as kerosene, mineral spirits or diesel fuel, through the cam chain tunnel, and from underneath, hoping the screw will loosen and fall out. Maybe use a garden sprayer for some pressure-cleaning effect. And perhaps combine this effort with hand-turning the crankshaft.

Good Fortune.