Can anyone identify this small mystery item found in the bottom of my oil pan. 340 4 barrel

Thanks

What’s it made of? Looks like a button from a sleeve or shirt.

Looks like a button? What's it made of?

I'm thinking button as well.
Found a leaf in one, in perfect condition, about 35 years ago.

That is the oil metering disc from a hydraulic lifter.

Yep, but HOW? I've had a lifter explode when a pushrod got shoved down after a timing chain snapped and valve tried to fornicate my piston. But it left a lot more metal all over.

It could be from a lifter, but kind of looks like that pattern those round casting marks in the lifter valley have. Maybe from the original casting core box?? Just thinking out loud.

Well we really don't have much information to go on. All we know is it's a 340. Why is the oil pan off? Is there other debris in the pan and this is the only piece the OP doesn't know? Was there a failure? Prior rebuild or repair? The last 340 was produced in '73 so chances are unless it's been stored somewhere for the last 30+ years it's had some work done to it.

Wow Thanks so far.
It was the only thing in the pan. It is metal, thin and sturdy, I was changing the cam. Motor had around 1200 miles since rebuild. Took the pan off to improve chances of good gasket seal. Also changed lifters and all old were complete. Don't know the prior history of motor. Took a picture of the other side of the piece. What looks like a ring around the first picture and a circle on the second and not raised but look like this piece was a part of something.


Thanks all.

Take an old lifter apart if you don't believe me. I don't know how or why it was in your oil pan but it's an oil metering disc from a lifter without a doubt.

Guitar Jones is correct. Just took a lifter apart and sure enough.

Thanks

Years ago I was converting my 72 Swing from /6 to 360. Bought a 79 Cordoba as the donor. Pulled the engine to inspect and regasket it, found an extra connecting rod nut in the crankcase. Pretty sure this was an untouched engine (date codes on the bearings coincided) near as I can figure when they were assembling the engine someone dropped the nut inside and just grabbed another rather than find it and fish it out. Good old 70's QA. I would probably think your part is there from the prior work and someone was lazy.