Oh god been there and done that myself too. Me and OboeBrian were getting my timing down a while back, and couldnt line up the oil pump shaft. soo we would have to rotate it a few degrees to have the distibutor line up. Anyways we were also using the screwdriver, extension and socket, and the extension and socket dropped deep into the dark oil pan below. Dropped the crossmember, oil and pan. and got that bugger out. Anyways after that I learned too keep the shaft connected to the distributor by using a really good adhesive, and about a year later it still holds. I have to break it off though soon so i can prime the engine.
Mike