Guys, finally got the right tranny to replace the bad one in my '88 F-250, 7.3 IDI; after we installed, it was apparent I had the shifter on wrong, so I pilled it, and there was a spring and a small, flat piece of blued steel sitting on top. When I reached for it, the flat piece fell down inside the tranny! It fell towards the front, passenger side, so maybe I'll be able to get to it through the inspection plate. Any ideas, if this does't work? Also, what is that part called?

 

looong bendable magnetic tipped grabber is the only choice you really have bud.

 

Got her fixed; drained fluid, pulled inspection plate, and there it was! Now, I've gotta figure out the damn exhaust leak on the driver side.

 

Lucky!!

 

Indeed! My buddy that did the majority of the work was needing my truck out of his shop, and after pulling the old tranny, trying to install the wrong one, then installing the right one, only for me to drop stuff in it.... he's a hell of a guy, but we all have our limits!