Help I found this in my oil pan, any idea what its from?

[Mike Curtis]

Bought a used gm crate motor to swap into my vehicle, its a 1990 block, stamped built in Mexico, the typical off the shelf gm goodwrench low compression motor. I heard it run before it was pulled and now I've got it home and decided to inspect under the valve covers and the oil pan. The valve covers were dirty, with a bit of sludge, so I scraped it a bit and took a shop vac to clean it out. then I turned while it was on the stand, I removed the oil pan before turning it upside down. The oil pan had a film of sludge about 1/16" thick in the bottom, I've seen worse, but when I cleaned it out, I found this. A rivot and looks to be a keeper? Any ideas what this is from? Any help is appreciated. It is steel and the quarter is for visual reference, lol, it wasn't in the oil pan. thanks

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[Big Chip]

Probably part of the timing chain?

 

[Bextreme04]

That was my thought too, looks like a link from a timing chain. If you have it on a stand i'd pull the timing cover and take a good close look at that chain. Worst case it is busted or worn and you can swap it out for a good new one for pretty cheap before you drop the motor in.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Probably part of the timing chain?

This X2

Pull the timing cover and make sure the chain has been replaced already.

 

[Vbb199]

Timing chain

 

[Wumbo]

Probably part of the timing chain?

Yep.

One of the inner links.

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[Mike Curtis]

This X2

Pull the timing cover and make sure the chain has been replaced already.

So how would I tell, just look to see if it's all there? Or is there something else I should look for?

 

[Mike Curtis]

Also, I've gotten feedback the rivot it probably from a shield under the intake. Is it worth taking the intake off to see if 1) there are more there, 2) put that one back in?

or, should I just assume one came out during assembly back in 1990 and has been laying in the bottom of the oil pan for 30 years?

 

[Turbo4whl]

So how would I tell, just look to see if it's all there? Or is there something else I should look for?

Yes. Look for any missing links. Most likely the chain and gears have already been replaced and that is just a left over piece that did not get cleaned out.

 

[Mike Curtis]

thank guys, so heres where I am so far.
I pulled the timing cover and found 1 more rivet in the cover, and 1 lodged in the timing chain. No missing links, but 1 broken. I put on a new chain. Here's the pics of what I found. As much as I don't want to, (mostly because I haven't done one before, I will pull the intake next to see if any more loose rivets are floating around in there) I read there are 4 holding the shield on, I will feel a little better if I find 3 holes and 1 rivet remaining. If I can't find the last one, maybe it got flushed through an oil change? Time will tell.
Btw, no surprise the old chain was really loose.

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[Turbo4whl]

That is a shame the rivets found their way to the timing chain. Looks like where the one rivet is stuck in the chain, that center link is missing.

You will be fine pulling the intake. Follow the torque specs and sequence when installing. I like Fel-Pro, perm-a-torque gaskets. Put a little silicone sealer at the four corners where the block top edge gaskets meet the gaskets on the heads.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I have an old timing chain laying on the floor collecting rust and dust, want it? I just can't remember if I threw it outside or in a scrap barrel

 

[DoubleDingo]

I have an old timing chain laying on the floor collecting rust and dust, want it? I just can't remember if I threw it outside or in a scrap barrel

He installed a new chain

 

[AuroraGirl]

He installed a new chain

It was a joke. You wouldn't want to use my used chain lol

 

[SquareRoot]

I have an old timing chain laying on the floor collecting rust and dust, want it? I just can't remember if I threw it outside or in a scrap barrel

It's probably next to the Caterpillar engine cover in the barn?