Me too... I got my washer out with a combination of a mag-tool and a coat hanger. It took me over 30 minutes. The rubbery bushing is still in there... I was cursing up a storm when a couple of salty sailors walked past and I made them blush. I ended up stuffing a paper towel to block off that hole, cuz naturally, I tried to put them back in there. Lucky for me I had an extra bushing.
Seems like we are all suckers for punishment and experience much of the same things.
PS, it takes balls to work on these old cars, great job you’re doing, Bropar.