They make a tool called a "hose pick" (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96572) Sometimes they have a set with different tips. I've used one of these. If you can't find one, heat and bend an ice pick and try that.

Ray

 

Thanks Ray, that definitely looks more skookum than the wire I used bent into a hook. Is there any particular place on the screen that you're trying to hook onto?
Mark

 

I just grab what I can and pull. Others may have a better technique. I'm kind of a brute force guy.....

Ray

 

MAC Tools (possibly other companies)

Make (made?) a specialty tool. Handle like a screwdriver, shaft about a foot long (less than 1/4" dia.), & the end formed like a coarse wood screw. Once you pull the PCV valve, you just stick the tool down to the screen, give it a couple twists to get a bite, & pluck it out.

I paid $15 about fifteen years ago. No telling what they'd gouge you nowadays. But in retrospect, if you had a long, slender Phillips screwdriver w/a ruined point, a few minutes w/a file - making some diagonal grooves around the tip - should yield similar results? Just a thought.

Good luck,
Matt

 

Thanks Matt, if I can't find something that's effective and priced reasonably, I'll make up something myself.
Mark

 

Got mine at Sears. Craftsman makes a set that is usually in stock for under $10. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947090000P

 

Thanks for the plug on the book Mark. They are simple "dental pick" style and you should be able to get them at Sears...

You can also run a big wood screw into the center and then grab it with a pair of pliers...

You can find them in the Help products usually (the screen). I've gotten them to clean up by soaking them in carb cleaner too, but they're cheap enough to simply replace...

Use some silicone or non-hardening sealer on the rubber grommet too to prevent air leaks...

HTH...
Mark

 

I've used a screw before, as well. Works great.

Greg

 

Thanks Mark and Greg. I went over to a Tool shop and found a "seal remover" kit for $5.95, (it looked like it had been kicking around the shop for a few decades but I found the price acceptable). It included something that looked like a woodscrew with a circle at the top for a handle. Basically about 9" long, 3/16 inch dia. That screen and rubber grommet came out within 2 minutes. Man it's sure nice to have the right tool for the job. The screen definitely wasn't worth saving, but one of the local Ford dealers had a screen in stock, so I'm good to go.
Mark, that book of yours has been of more assistance than you can imagine. Next job is to replace the thermostat with a Stant.
Cheers,
Mark