I found this in my oil pan.......what is it?

[phatford]

I found this in my in pan. I took off the sump to get it out. did it come from there or maybe something forgotten in the cam install maybe?
I did not see it fall out of anywhere. Any help would be appreciated! thanks

The nut is there for size comparison.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lMXaQPYYuKI/UbEgdUmFsoI/AAAAAAAAAHo/hIbcI7LVSQ0/w240-h320-no/2013-06-06

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xMtdv31F0gM/UbEgdcUHw6I/AAAAAAAAAHU/vanNHoIEPyQ/w240-h320-no/2013-06-06

[chrisb1961]

Whatever it is it doesnt look good

[Gearhead]

Looks like a cylinder head locating dowel....

One of these:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-51400420/overview/

[Rick93coupe]

Probably is a dowel, with the timing cover off before a head is pulled, the pan is open in the front. Pull the head off and the dowl could easily fall out and into the pan.

[phatford]

Well the heads were put on about 3+ years ago with no leaks/problems so I'm guessing all is good. Just a mistake. Thanks for the quick responses guys I feel at ease now.
Thanks again!

[Rick93coupe]

I think the only real purpose for them is to hold the gasket in place while you put the bolts in. Without them, the head tends to slide off the block on the engine stand, lol.

[RIXXX93GT]

No worries, its a locating dowel. May explain any intake gasket seal issues you may have experienced as it locates the head and intake mating surfaces parallel to each other as well.