With military aircraft something like that is called FOD (foreign object damage). I doubt that ball originated from anywhere under the hood. Given the valve lift and size of the ball, the only way it could have been introduced into the engine is by the spark plug hole, which is just a hair under 1/2-inch.

Just a wild guess, but maybe somebody thought this was a good way to keep the engine from turning while trying to remove the dampner bolt.

Well, if that's the case, I guess they were correct. It's not turning now!

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

What, you've never seen an engine make a pearl?

I must quote the great "Fletch"..."come on guys, everyone knows its ALL ball bearings these days"...never mind, you had to see the movies...I'm still laughing now even if you guys are goin "wtf? over"...

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1991 300CE Sportline
1983 300SD TurboDiesel (Gone but not forgotten)