Do you mean the retainer or one of the locks? Sounds like somebody dropped a piece when the motor was built and either didn't realize where it went or didn't bother to retrieve it. I guess there was plenty of room for it to rattle around in there with the pushrod and not do any damage.

 

one of the valve locks. took a picture. who knows how long it was like that. i bought the car, drove it home where it's been sitting the garage till my parts came in. everything should be o.k. good thing i decided to cam the car.

 

lets see if the pics will load this time