A thinwall socket would probably be key. But I didn't try getting one because I decided to go ahead and remove the manifold to get a good opportunity to clean the hose nipples and renew the miscellaneous o-rings. I wanted to see my work and it was so frustrating trying to do it from the top.

So the manifold was removed a few days ago, and I have done the following:

1. Clean the EGR port and tube with pick, wire, Seafoam spray
2. Replace leaking power steering return hoses
3. Repair cracked insulation on crank position sensor harness
4. Replaced O-ring per MB DOC
5. Fabricated a replacement for an air pump hose that broke upon intake manifold removal due to brittleness. Used 5/8" heater hose and 3/8" fuel line.
6. Replaced fuel distributor O-ring
7. EHA O-rings
8. Attached control module behind battery-missing bolts replaced
   
9. DROPPED an intake manifold dowel sleeve into the OILPAN through the dipstick hole.

Gahhhh, I could have retrieved it but didn't realize what it was when I noticed it balanced precariously in the dipstick hole. I accidentally knocked in the dowel sleeve when I tried to cover the hole with a temporary plug.

Anyway, now I have the oil level sender out to replace its seal, and I used a magnet on a retractable wand to seek the sleeve, to no avail

I guess there is a windage tray there that the little piece could have fallen int and become trapped without landing in the oil. I want to get this out. The car is on jackstands nose up in a garage.

Help me out. Should I try to remove the oilpan? Or drop the oilpan enough to reach in there. I would have to jack up the engine and maybe drop the trans lower to create clearance for the oilpan.

Any good schemes or comments about what you might do or have done?

Thanks everyone so far. Glenmore, I appreciate your input. That must have been a good tech who had done it a few times. With the right approach I can see it working. I probably should have let someone else do this.