jeggy

i used a valve spring compressor like this one.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...ring+compressor

with this particular tool i ran into a slight problem. the two fingers that grab and pull up on the spring are a bit large. i had an interference problem on a few of the springs where the finger hit the head/case.

i will be doing some modifications to the tool next time i change the retainers.

mikegarrison

I dropped a part into the engine. I was totally lucky to be able to get it back out again. Block up EVERY opening that parts could fall into!

PeanutButter

I used the valve spring compressor you can rent for free at autozone

RED MX5

Sometimes I'm a real butter fingers, and few things irritate me more than the dropped bolt that vanishes, but I've been lucky enough to avoid droping anything into a place where I had to take things apart. Magnets and the little flexable finger thingies can be real life savers, but only up to a point.

I once dropped a bolt down the small side of a spreadbore carb, and then trying to fish it out I pushed the butterfly open far enough for it to fall down onto the floor of the intake manifold. Fishing the thing back out was such a PITA that it might have actually been easier if I had just gone ahead and yanked the carb.

Plugging holes is a good precaution in general, and one that I'll be using more often.
Good tip Mike.