Hello All, I know that is a loaded question, but at least it got you to look at this post. While I do not always know what is in MY head, this time it is my slant six head. I found what appears to be an errant piece of iron left inside the cylinder head water jacket. I recently bought the car and pulled the head last week. During the process of cleaning the head I noticed a strange piece of metal inside the water jacket just below the opening where the thermostat mounts. It was free floating, but too big and oddly shaped to fall out on its own. Today I removed it with a pair pliers and a good pull/twist. Has anyone ever seen anything like it? Is it common for loose or leftover iron pieces to get left inside the head during or after the casting process?

Yes it's a bit of core / mold support "stuff"

Lots of heads have these bits rattling around in there. Not just yours.

You will be okay.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Welcome!
Ditto what Greg said, core rods are quite common.

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Hyper_pak

Here's another thread on this topic from a few years ago:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=63452&hilit=core

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1975 Dodge D100 225 c.i., HEI, Parallel Offenhauser, Motorcraft 2150, 904 auto, 9.25" 3.55:1

Thank you all. I guess it’s another example of how bulletproof these things are. There is still what appears to be a skinny piece of rod attached deep inside the hole. I tugged on it with needle nose pliers but it’s not coming loose. I’ll stop worrying about it now

Grab that leftover casting support wire with sturdy pliers and twist until it breaks loose so you can pull it out. There's no catastrophe waiting to happen if it stays in there, but it's best to remove it; who needs rustprone trash in their cooling system?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.