Update: I GOT IT!!! But you might have to start calling me MacGyver! I took the fuel pump off thinking I'd just take a look and see if I could even get to the offending piece of foam. Much to my surprise, it was in the oil pan (no oil in it yet) sitting up against the baffle in plain sight. So I took the top half of a fishing pole, taped a jig hook to it and started fishing. After a couple of tries I managed to get the hook just barely in it and pulled it up. The whole time it was jiggling and shaking and I was sure I'd lose it and it would end up in a place where I couldn't get to it. But the hook held just enough to let me trap it with a finger and pull it out. What a relief. The can of gas was sitting there, waiting its turn.
Thanks guys for all the imput and encouragement.
