after reinspecting the old oil filter, i think this piece came out of the sump rather than the oil filter cannister. this is because i didnt notice any particles onthe outside of the old oil filter, or inside of the canister when i was wiping it clean.

i drained the sump and let it stay open for 10 minutes, crawled back under and screwed in the plug, then slid the oil drain pan under the filter, and then removed the filter housing. i really didnt notice this thing until after i had dumped the filter, and pulled the pan out to let the filter element drain. when i saw this piece, i checked the filter grommets and cleaned up around the filter bracket on the engine and stuck my finger in the holes to see if i could feel any other parts. it was all clean. so if i had to bet on it, i would say it came out of the oil pan when it first poured out.

someone give me some good news and say its 100% not out of the timing stuff!!!!ha