Anyone know where this hole goes?

I may have dropped a head bolt washer down into this oil hole. ‍♂️ Does anyone know how to get it out? Do I have to get it out? And if I have to get it out will I have to take the oil pan off? If anyone knows I would love an answer. I can’t move forward with putting it back together until I get this out. I have looked at diagrams to try and understand where it goes but can’t really tell much.

 

Have you tried to fish it out with a magnet?

 

Ya I need to try a different one because the magnet was on a solid stick that didn’t bend so I need a bendy one. This thread is kinda just to see if I can even get it out with a magnet or will I have to take the pan off.

 

Good luck! Once I dropped a screw down the steering column of a '76 Nova and had to disassemble the column gear shift lever and turn signal lever to get it back. I hate dropping parts.

 

For real

 

Just a non-expert thought. Looks too big for an oil passageway, possibly coolant passageway? Don’t want to ruin your new water pump. Flexible magnets are cheap, bet you can fish it out with one. Good luck.

 

How about trying a vacuum? Some car-cleaning attachments have long rubber hoses.

My story of dropping parts:

Before the internet existed for me to realize what I was getting mysef into, I decided I wanted to change the intake manifold on my '82 Mustang.

While pulling the distributor, the oil pump shaft dropped into the oil pan. Didn't realize what happened until I put everything back together and tried to start it.

Crankshaft spun and smacked into the shaft with a "THUD". After talking to a couple mechanics, it was obvious (to them) what happened. Had to have it towed to a friend's dad who helped me get the oil pan off so we could get the shaft out and fix everything.

Good times...

 

A vacuum is a good idea thanks.