lifter Valley water pump bolt end

[PLenzini]

56 Bird, 292. water pump bolt (upper right) broke at threads in block / lifter Valley behind timing chain housing. trying to drill for easy out and 7/8ths inch of thread piece went on thru presumably to lifter Valley. Question how bad would it be to leave there (fishing with magnet was no luck) and run the motor as is?

[paul2748]

While leaving push rod in would usually be ok, a small piece of metal could cause a lot of trouble. I think you should bite the bullet and remove the intake and valley pan.