[ViperMonster800]

She was taking off her jewelry (to swap for other jewelry) and put her class ring on top of my dashboard. She then swung her elbow around and knocked her ring down into my dash through the window defrost duct. And of course it has to be the most expensive and most important piece of jewelry she has... meaning I have to go and fetch it.

I have an '85 Caprice Classic wagon. I have an original factory service manual but it doesn't seem to be very much help. Not even the diagrams are much help.

Can someone give me a proper diagram or tell me what I have to take off to get my girlfriend's ring back?

~Glen

[MI2600]

I guess it depends how far down it fell. If it's all the way down in the heater box, you might be able to get to it through the blower opening under the hood.

[docvette]

Doc here,

Here you go:



I assume it went down the defroster vent (Marked "B") on the right side. (*?)

Disconnect the Battery Cable.

If thats the case, the easy way to access the area is remove the dash speaker, The Glove box door, the glove box, and carefully without jarring the vent (So as not to have it fall further down inside)

Remove the screws (Tinnerman nut and sheet metal screws) hold downs, and slide it out, if It isn't in that section, you'll have access to get your hand in the rest of the vent.

Is Any part of the Ring Mailable ? (Magnetic?) If other people you know with Class rings will lend you one for a minute, test it with a magnet, IF (and It's a big IF) it is Mailable, Get one of those Pocket Telescoping magnets with hinges, (will turn all kinds of different ways) And "Fish" the vent, you may be able to recover it that way.

If you need MORE flexibility, what I have done in the past, is gone to the Hardware store, bought a tube full of "Interlock magnets" their small, round, about the size of a dime and about 1/2 inch thick, and a tube of 5 minute epoxy, along with a few feet of slightly Stout but flexible wire,

(you'll get a feel for it, so as you can easily snake it through the vents without the wire staying bent all the way one way or another.)

Using the Epoxy , attach the magnet to the end of the wire and let it set up, (about 10 minutes) And use that to Fish the vents.

That is hopefully if any part of the ring is Mailable..

If not, you will have to remove the vents..

Good Luck ! let us know how it turns out..

Doc

[ViperMonster800]

Thank you very much with that diagram. Thats more helpful than you know. Yes, it is the defrost vent, on the pass. side.

But sadly, I tried to see if it was in the blower area so I took out the blower and tried to feel around and got nothing.

I looked at the ventilation a bit and saw that the defrost vent had a hose connected to it that goes to a vent at the passenger's knees. I unplugged the hose and shook it around a bit and I found an old pencil. I felt like smashing something but I didn't want to harm my Bessie.

I'll try your trick tomorrow Doc. I'm a bit sleepy.

Thank you again for your genius and generous help.

~Glen

[RyanB]

Originally Posted by ViperMonster800

Thank you very much with that diagram. Thats more helpful than you know. Yes, it is the defrost vent, on the pass. side.

But sadly, I tried to see if it was in the blower area so I took out the blower and tried to feel around and got nothing.

I looked at the ventilation a bit and saw that the defrost vent had a hose connected to it that goes to a vent at the passenger's knees. I unplugged the hose and shook it around a bit and I found an old pencil. I felt like smashing something but I didn't want to harm my Bessie.

I'll try your trick tomorrow Doc. I'm a bit sleepy.

Thank you again for your genius and generous help.

~Glen

Been there done that. Try this!!!!!!!!!!

Try to find what they call "rare earth magnets" here is a link for where I get them but you can source your own http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...77&cat=1,42363

Anyway, I prefer the "ring magnet" for this (the one with the hole in the center). Once you purchase the smallest one avaiable you are going to go down to your local fishing/tackle shop and buy a spool of the smallest lb/test line there is (I prefer 4lbs). You will then tie the line onto the magnet (same knot as tying a fishing lure on to the line) and then well....you going to go fishing for it.

These magnets are VERY strong for there size and it should have no problem finding it. If you have steel tubing though it might make things complicated for you. I know on my truck (88+ chevy) it was all plastic so caused no problems.

Good luck...hopefully it will work and save you ALOT of times.

Ryan

[ViperMonster800]

Well this seems like the best idea so far. I saw my air ducts and they are plastic for sure.

The only question is, where do I buy these magnets? Especially one with a hole to go fishing.

~Glen

[RyanB]

Originally Posted by ViperMonster800

Well this seems like the best idea so far. I saw my air ducts and they are plastic for sure.

The only question is, where do I buy these magnets? Especially one with a hole to go fishing.

~Glen

Well, if you were to click that link I posted you would see the website where I get there. They are a Canadian company (ontario) but ship all over and sell in the USA. There website is www.Leevalley.com have a look but I am sure you could find a place around you. Call some specialty hardware stores asking for rare earth magnets...they should put you in the right direction. If you do have the plastic tubing it should be easy. Those magnets can pick up 1000 times there weight!!! I have a little one 1/2" in diameter and only 1/8" thick and it can pick up over 10 pounds!

Good luck.Ryan

[73oldsman]

Any luck getting the ring out yet!

[ViperMonster800]

Originally Posted by 73oldsman

Any luck getting the ring out yet!

Nope, no luck yet. I'm trying the long term approach... slowly knocking around to see if I hear anything... plus I don't want to tear apart my dash.

Hopefully I will prevail.

[73oldsman]

You must have a very patient girlfriend.

[red65mustang]

wish you could have seen the look my wife gave me....

tried my very strong rare earth magnet (on a bendable wire handle-Advance Auto? don't recall) on a bunch of rings including class rings..no grab on any

"no dear...I haven't totally lost my marbles" (just most!)....

suspect fishin' with a bent wire is the way to go...good luck

[ViperMonster800]

Yes 73olds, I amazingly have a very patient girlfriend. She loves me a lot and doesn't mind at all as long as I don't get rid of the car. lol. I aint never getting rid of my Bessie (wagon). lol. Or my girl.

Dang 65stang, that sucks. Not a single class ring? Jeez. I hope to find a panel to access for easy access... then again, all of us guys are always looking for that.

[vicrod]

With the blower motor removed, connect a shop vac at the blower opening. You will need to get a good seal using rags or cardboard and duct tape etc.
Put your heater controls in full defrost.
The Engine may need to be running for the (vacuum) controls to actuate the defrost dampers.

Blow the ring out.

Hey, it might work!

vicrod

[ViperMonster800]

I saw that once on Home Improvement. Tim Taylor hooked up the end of a plunger with pressure from an air compressor to the drain of a sink. Blew the pipes outta the walls.

Don't think it will work, just might cause leaks in my air system... even if I plugged all the other outlets.

[vicrod]

Well, just go to a bigger "hammer".
Try a leaf blower.
Maybe some tissues would help to sail that baby outta there.
I'm serious. Once I blew away a flat cat from the street. It was there for over a week.

vicrod