I was reading an article on dieselpower magazine about a steel dowel pin in the block under the timing case cover that rattles free and falls out, this pin could cause more problems if it gets caught on anything on the way down to the oil pan... this problem effects the years up to 98'1/2 would this problem effect a year 99 model, which is what I own,

 

The Dowel pin or KDP (Killer Dowel Pin) seems to be something that affected the 12 valve engines. We all have them-they align the timing case, but on certain years it could rattle out as you say. If you search "Killer Dowel Pin" you will find volumes on it.

 

thanks i'll do that