Oil pickup screen bypass hole?

[Tony Tee]

Took apart a oem big block pickup tube and found this hole in the middle. I never knew it was there. Are all the oem pickups made with this hole? I guess its for when the screen is totally clogged and then it pushes the screen and lets in all the garbage ? Or is this hole always open?

 

[69Bee]

The hole seals against the metal cover, and if/when the screen becomes plugged enough, the suction will pull the screen down thus allowing unfiltered oil to bypass the screen and prevent a non-oil condition.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

I agree with 69Bee above and got curious and just checked a new pickup I have for a new build and it's hard to tell from the picture but I got my light in there and it is solid screen with no bypass hole that I can see.