So I was attempting to replace my -8AN super long drain line with a new -10an shorter line so I was drilling a new hole. Engine is a '00 1.8 and I'm drilling just rearward of the begi recommended location ( poorly JB welded black capped fitting) The drill bit stopped wanting to go in so I look and see this. What am I looking at here? Support for the pickup tube? Or just a baffle/webbing inside the pan?

simple question: can I drill through it or hammer it out of the way? Or is it time to look for a new oil pan...

 

Looks like the baffle to me.

 

The bigger problem is going to be threading either the pan screw or the oil drain fitting. Neither will work together. Find a new pan and pull the motor.

 

what ^ she said.

 

The picture makes it look closer to the bolt than it really is. Managed to get the fitting installed I crossed my fingers it was the baffle and pushed it with a screwdriver to give me enough space without pushing it into the bottom end of rod 1. I'll deal with not being able to remove that one pan bolt when I have to remove the pan. Honestly I barely prepped the surface before adding jb weld so I'm sure under any force it would just crack loose from the pan if I ever need to remove the fitting. I turned the engine over by hand a few times to make sure the rod didn't hit just have to wait for the jb to cure before I start it back up. Hopefully it works out..

 

Y u no care about quality?

 

I like knowing the jb weld is permanent enough to seal it but not so permanent I can't remove the fitting if I ever need to.