Breathers in the block

[Dave Mann]

If you remove the oil filler tube the collets can be retrieved with a magnet on the end of a flexible grabber.

[Mark McKibbin]

Slightly off topic but years ago I stuffed a rag into the inlet port of my Lancia Lambda while I had the manifold off then in the excitement of reassembly I forgot to remove it. The car started, hiccupped and blew the rag out the exhaust pipe  slightly worse for wear.

[JonE]

do you cut your rags with pinking shears?

[jpsmit]

Slightly off topic but years ago I stuffed a rag into the inlet port of my Lancia Lambda while I had the manifold off then in the excitement of reassembly I forgot to remove it. The car started, hiccupped and blew the rag out the exhaust pipe  slightly worse for wear.

Many years ago a friend with whom I have long since lost touch was telling the story of volunteering at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. ( https://www.warplane.com/ ) I don't recall which plane engine they were rebuilding but someone forgot to remove a rag. I was assured that the rage was placed in a frame with a sign that read: The $50,000 rag. (cost of rebuilding the engine again)

[Bob Culver]

The Javelin car has downdraught carbs maounted low alongside the front wheel with ducts to the air cleaner in the bonnet. I sometimes ran with just cheesecloth across the carb mouths...until it swallowed one. (Incidentally the distance to siamesed valves only about 3 inches and a remarkable amount of fuel spray was ejected from the carbs. But it sounded great!)

[Ruairidh Dunford]

A friend of mine nearly died when he was sewn back up after an operation with a “rag” still inside him.