If that would have been my car that O-ring would still be down there with the socket, along with enough other tools to start a small business. My engine compartment eats tools.

That sounds like a plan!

Thanks! And no doubt I did. When we got it back together with no leaks and no misfires, we all kind of looked around at each other and were kind of amazed we actually got it back together. I've done head gaskets before, but they were always in a 4 cyl project cars of mine and my friends. If we messed something up it was no really big deal, we just pulled it back in the garage and went home in our DD'*. The only other car I've had was my Cavalier and that poor thing put up with my **** for almost 10 years with nothing more than a couple bad batteries and two sets of tires. I'm no stranger to wrenching, but this was the first major operation on a car I need to rely on, so it was a pretty nerve-racking experience.

Ha ha ha, no doubt! I used to lose screw drivers, wrenches, and sockets to the tool gremlin in my Talon all the time. It kind of feels like hitting the jackpot when you manage to find one again though isn't it?

Again, thanks for all the help everyone!