timing chain clip

[bo@domain.elided (Bo Monroe)]

Changing the fluids in the Giulietta fer to put her away fer the winter;
had the VC off to suck the oil out of the cam troughs as well as do the
usual upper end inspection (short of full valve adjustment -- planned on
putting that off 'til spring) -- when to my horror I happen to notice that
the clip (the "fish") for the upper chain removable link is MIA!

No telling how long it's been like this; this is the first time I've had
the VC off this car (5 months and about 2000 miles). Don't suppose it
could've been this way very long, as I can't imagine the things would hold
together very long at 8000 rpm. Feeling pretty lucky that it happened to be
where I could see it as I wasn't looking for anything beyond tension, as
far as the chain is concerned.

Opinions wanted -- should I drop the sump and go fishing for the "fish?"
I've already dumped the oil and it could've gone thru the grate at the
recycle station without me noticing it. What kind of mischief could it
cause if it's still in the innards of the motor? If it did come off, it did
so without a struggle -- no scratches in the valve cover. Possibility
exists it was never there to begin with...

Time is an issue now (racing against Old Man W to get the cars out of the
shop and into storage), but I suppose I could put her back together drop
the sump first thing next spring...

- --Bo

Madison, Wisconsin

'61 Giulietta Spider Veloce
'65 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce (parts)
'66 Spider 1600 Duetto
'66 Giulia Super
'67 GT 1300 Junior
'67 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce
'67 Spider 1600 Duetto
'68 GT 1300 Junior (parts)
'91 164L

Osso di Seppia / Roundtail (Duetto) Registry http://ossodiseppia.com

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