OT engine question: Chev 3.1

Car in question is 1990 Chev Cavalier with the 3.1 v6. 165k, belongs to my
girlfriend.

I was going to change her transmission fluid and filter today, and a series
of events caused the oil pan to get dented. Started the car and it was
apparent that the crank was hitting the tray in the pan. Removed the pan,
the dent caused the tray to bend up, hit somewhere along one of the
connecting rod ends or something. Still unable to identify where the pan hit
the crank.. no apparent damage to the crank, minimal to the pan.

Bent the pan back, cut away part of the tray and bent the rest back.
Re-installed with a new gasket (took two gaskets and five tries!). The pan
is sheetmetal and I made sure to straighten it around all the bolt holes.
Having leaking issues front and side of the pan. Guessing she needs a new
pan? Leaked with and without sealer.

Also, upon startup there is a high pitched screeching/scraping sound coming
from the lower front of the engine.. any ideas? At speed and idle the car
sounds and runs fine, despite a little tapping.

I cut out a small portion of the tray around the oil pump.. is this a
problem?

Will a new pan and gasket do it, or is it time to dump the chevy?

Carl