Will it get sucked up into the pickup screen ? Probably not. Will it cause a major restriction? I don't think so. Knock it through with a pin punch or a push rod like cab said and install a new one. I have found worse stuff in oil pans from perfectly good running engines
Gus
The thought of intentionally putting a piece of metal into my oilpan scares the crap out of me. I got a good tap into it, and it would not budge. Grabbed the tap with vice grips and it it with both a hammer and a pry bar, and its not cooperating at all. I am afraid an extractor will just get lodge in there and expand against the block. I think I will try another tap, and find a correct threaded screw as suggested....this had to happen AFTER the motor was back in...I guess I should have just intended to replace it in the first place and punched it out when the block was on the engine stand. Live and learn I guess...
