I've posted this in the tranny forum as well, but thought that I would post it here as well.
I dropped my tranny pan yesterday to do a fluid change and found this part in the bottom of the pan. I can not see where it could have come from, so I'm not sure how it got there, but thought I would post a pic in case anyone knows what it is.

Thanks for looking

 

That's the plug put in at the factory to seal the dipstick tube before the dipstick is put in.

They all get pushed down to the pan.

Nothing to worry about.

 

Though I didn't check to see if it fit, I at one point yesterday wondered if it had been used to block the tube. I though perhaps the stick had been lost or something. The dipstick is another issue. It is very floppy and worries me, I suspect that there was a brace, but perhaps it has rotted away.

Thanks again for the info

 

Yep,,,just throw it away.
The dipstick tube should have a brace that bolts to the block.

 

It's already discarded....
I did however find the brace, but the tube was no longer attached. The tube is rotting away. The previous owner() just tried to wire it back together.
He failed....miserably.
I have ordered a new on to the tune of 24.31 + tx. It will be in on Tuesday.

I'm now pulling the upper intake off, to try and get at the imrc linkages.
Plastic bushings........Ford does have it's moments

Breathe Dave........

 

Take it to your nearest Ford dealer to have him decode the numbers on the o-ring to see if you have won the grand prize,a 1974 Pinto!

 

Ahh..The original exploder.....