Ford Repair: thermostat went into engine block, gasket kit, mercury sable

Question
recently i put a themostat in a 1996 mercury sable. bought used and didnt already have one in it. it looked kinda small but i put it in anyway since it was what they gave me at the part store. after that my car started overheating. i thought the thermo. might be wrong so i opened it up to take it back out but it was gone. im afraid it may have went into the engine block. how do i get it out? HELP!!
thanks, steve

Answer
You could try a magnetic telescopic pen, but that probably won't work. Go buy a intake gasket kit and tear it down. Hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, you didn't do any damage to the head or block. Go ahead and price another engine through you're parts store's salvage program while you are getting the gasket kit