Chunk of metal near water pump???

[wiggle]

I pulled my lower unit off my motor last night to replace water pump(1st time to do this). When I pulled the lower unit loose from the motor, a chunk of painted aluminum 3/8"x3/8" fell onto the floor. I check everything out that I could see and could not find anything. Could it have come from inside the engine compartment and made its way into the exhaust??? It looks like it did break off from something, maybe it was just from manufacturing.
I don't know model or serial numbers, but it is a 2004 225HO 25" shaft DI, not an ETEC

Thanks, Brad

[gearcaseman]

This is a shot in the dark, but alot of times when removing and replacing cases, the driveshaft will contact the lower bearing retainer at the bottom of the motor before it finds it's way to the crankshaft and break off a little chunk. No big deal really, but this is just one possibility.