Randy,
ROTFL!!
Actually I never even thought of that. I believe if something were dropped down there, I could fish it out the inlet side. (??) Good point though for future reference. However I was scared to death of dropping something into the timing chain cavity, you know, like a valve keeper or something. Now THAT would be bad... have to pull the oil pan at a minimum, or timing case at worst...
so I had a rag covering that most of the time.
This job actually started as a timing chain replacement, but ended as a valve seal job with the old chain still installed! That job scares me, I really don't want to drop a chain link or side plate down there. Probably stuff it with rags tightly on both sides while I'm working on the chain links!
Thanks again,