Look for a set of "Mechanics Fingers"...  I know Craftsman makes them, that's the set I have.  It's a flexible metal tube with 4 "claws" that open up when you press the other end's "plunger" type actuator...  stick it down hole, open claws and grab the piece by releasing the plunger, then pull it out.

Here's one on eBay for $7.50...  https://www.ebay.com/itm/167509574109

Frank

Why not try some chewing gum, or blue-tak/white-tak oon the end of a piece of thin round wooden dowel, down through the spark plug hole?

Quote from: STLanduyt on January 11, 2026, 02:54:40 PMDean, on the internet I have been looking for FJ engine guards and ran across,
https://www.fjownersclub.co.uk/product-page/fj1100-1200-engine-bars
are you familiar with this group?  I have been inclined to join, which is required to purchase the engine bars and other items that they sell.

Steve

Hi Steve, yes I'm familiar, having been a member for well over 30 years and a good friend of the founder, Phil "Doc" Hacker.

I know the FJOC don't ship overseas, but I'm sure I could help you get a set from them.

I also know of some spare Renntec engine bars that are going to be re powder-coated in the next couple of months.

Just let me know how you want to proceed and I can help get things to you (I could but then and ship them to you, if that was needed).

My thought was similar to Robert's....something sticky

I love that JB Weld epoxy putty. Sticky stuff.

Spray some brake cleaner down there, get any oil or dirt off the insert.

Get a straw, roll some JB Weld putty in a small cylinder and stuff it in the straw, leave a round ball at the end...(the goal is when the putty dries, it does not pull out of the straw)

Working quick,  within 3 minutes of activating the putty, put the straw in and smush it good on the insert. Try and get the end of the insert, not the middle, so you can get it out the sparkplug hole....then don't touch it for 24 hours....let the putty dry.

Once dry....you should be able to pull it up.

Change your oil. It was contaminated from the brake cleaner spray.

Be aware that JB Weld putty is some strong shit....if you stick it to your piston crown, you will probably be able to pull that piston out through the sparkplug hole...   

MoparMan,
 I vote for the vacuum cleaner, with a flexible thinwall tube at the business end.  The tube should be the largest that fits into the spark plug hole.  If you can borrow a Rainbow vacuum, I know of no better machine for suction power + airflow. You will need both.

I might be getting crazy here but since stuff weighs less under water I wonder if sucking it out with a vacuum doesn't work what if you get the cylinder to TDC and fill it with water and then try to suck it out along with the water, it might have a better chance of coming out with the movement of the water and being slightly lighter when in water.

If that doesn't fail turn the FJ upside down and shake the engine until it comes out the spark plug hole.

Steve, do you have Mike's FJR?

Can you rotate it so the piston is top dead and the valves are closed and try and suck it out with a powerful vacuum cleaner.

You could try taping a larger mcdonalds size plastic straw to the hose of your shop vac and insert it through the sparkplug hole.
 I don't know whether those are still legal and available in California .

Did you sell it yet?