if you can get your hands on a scope, fish it thru the drain plug and you should be able to visually see the pick up tube intact.
i'm not sure you can see / touch it from that angel without?
worth a shot, to avoid pulling the oil pan with out cause.
Ok, so I pulled the valve covers. Both sides- all rockers and pushrods tight and in place, no evidence of puking out a lifter.
Next, I decided to pull the oil pump because it was too tight to get to the relief valve nut anyway. After I got the pump out and removed the relief spring nut, I turned it over and the spring and plunger fell into my hand. No scoring or burrs seen on the plunger, although I could see some minute longitudinal scratches on it, so I know it had been moving in and out about 1/4" or so.
Next I took the advice of Geoff and blew some air back through the hole that goes thru the block to the pickup tube. It gurgled in the pan like it was still immersed in oil/ not broken, so now I'm pretty confused. Any ideas? I'm just about out...