Purpose of OEM hole in front left baffle

[wlloyd03]

I have 1979 TR182. I am in the process of engine overhaul. I have removed the baffling and am repairing worn parts. I have question about a hole in the front left baffle (PN 225063-1). The hole is OEM and exists on the horizontal portion of the baffle, right of the oil cooler. See pictures. The hole is currently blocked off. The parts manual does not show it blocked off. What is the purpose of this hole? Does it supply additional cooling to the wastegate and crossover pipe. Should it be open or blocked off. Your thoughts?

[scottrsellers]

Asked knowledgeable A&P/IA who's worked on R/TR182s since the 1980s about this hole. He suggested the hole could have originally been for alternator cooling duct, or for access to engine thru stud alignment or oil galleries port.