The only place I can see that going is the chain tensioner. I never got to see mine intact because the chain mangled it, but it was about that size and nothing else in a 22re has a spring that long and skinnier than a finger. You probably didn't see the tensioner arm because it's most likely stuck on top of the crank, behind the timing cover. That's where mine was. Point a flashlight down the timing chain towards the crank gear and I'll bet it's there.

 

Ok that's what I was thinking. I'll shine a light down there in a few. Raining again!

 

Here's a photo of mine to show the same thing I suspect happened to yours. The tensioner arm is circled in green. Stuck there even though I drove it probably 200 miles like that.

 

When I looked in there the first time, the chain guide on the driver side seemed intact. (Which is the one that I thought we had to worry about). But I did have slack on the passenger side of the chain.

 

Sure looks like the spring behind the chain tensioner piston.

 

Something I just thought about. Isn't there a spring in the oil pump? And is there a way for it to get in the pan?

 

No, the oil relief spring can only come out thru the plug on the outside of the oil pump.

 

Ok guys just got in from working on the truck. Tonight I put in a new oil filter, cleaned the pickup, put fresh oil in, and said a little prayer. Cranked her up and boom, like nothing ever happend. Was my oil filter clogged?? What the heck?

 

A clogged filter will increase the oil pressure which makes the by pass valve in the pump open. Oil then flows directly into the oil galley.

In short yeah maybe, or the anti drain back failed, or that pickup tube screen was clogged. Take a can opener or pipe cutter and cut it open and find out.