Help! I screwed up:

[401KVet]

1980 Corvette. I laid 2 small interior screws up on the dash, about 1/4" long, kinda below the rear view mirror. Then I manged to knock them into the center air vent that is on top of the dash which is in the middle between the two dash speakers. I cannot see them even at night with a flash light. It looks like you can take the little grill off that is over the vent if I had to. I really don't need to get the screws out if they will not cause any harm. Would anyone know if the will? Would anyone know what would be the easy way to get them out if I needed to? From the bottom somewhere, etc etc.? Even if I tried with a magnet from the top I don't think I could reach them. Thanks for any help!!!

 

[bill81vette]

Ooops!!!!
I don't see why gravity would do its job and have them come out the bottom vents.
the doors for heater/vent/defrost could be in the way...
try moving them around and see what falls out!!!!!!
worst case is they stay in there.

 

[401KVet]

Ooops!!!!
I don't see why gravity would do its job and have them come out the bottom vents.
the doors for heater/vent/defrost could be in the way...
try moving them around and see what falls out!!!!!!
worst case is they stay in there.

I'll give it a shot. Thanks...

 

[tmkassin]

Tape or tie a small magnet to a string and slide it down the vent.

 

[401KVet]

Tape or tie a small magnet to a string and slide it down the vent.

Good idea. It would have to be something like a string, because any type of metal or flexible rod with a magnet wouldn't cut it. I haven't tried yet, but I don't think I could get that down far enough.

Thanks,

 

[killain]

Same problem and it worked !

Years ago I was working on my friends 1969 Chevelle and dropped one of the carb hold down nuts down the intake. . . .

OK, Now I'm scared because it could have fallen through a open valve or some other horrible thought. But like above. I gor a magnetic on a flexible 36 inch spring, gingerly poked around and slowly brought it up and low and behold, there was the nut. I must'a got my first gray hair that day.

 

[Peer81]

The magnet is the only way to go if you don't want to take out the dash. I can't give you any easy way to get to them only if the upper dash vent is not connected to the lower part. (mine had some space between the upper and lower piece) Then from under the dash you can take out the upper part and I think you can get your arm into the lower part. But I think it takes some houres to get so far to take the upper vent piece out. Good luck with the magnet!

Groeten Peter