Came out during intake and exhaust gasket job. Any ideas?

its the retention spring that goes on the linkage conection to the intake manifold..

Bingo!

its the retention spring that goes on the linkage conection to the intake manifold..

Where abouts? Car drives great without it!

It goes between the fork on the linkage, under the washer and cotter pin.

#14 in the picture on this link - http://www.carpartsmanual.com/datsuns30/DatsunZIndex/Engine280Z/Accelerator/tabid/1624/Default.aspx

I literally just walked in from bringing my 280zxt parts car over to my house. I immediately checked on there where it went. Thanks anyway guys...