Way back in the mid-70s I dropped a small washer with the distributor out and it went right down the hole and gone.

Every now and again I'd think I heard it tink-tink-tink as it slung around in there but it was probably just my imagination.

That was a little different case, because mine went right down the front of the engine, not into the heart of things.

I was about 17 at the time. Today I'd probably tear it down to find it or it would drive me nuts worrying about it.