Bill Question1 Yes it's OK to drill that hole right thru both shafts,I usually just put a piece of wire in there until I get the length just right,you'll have to face the bushing till it gets clearance so you can move it up and down. Not much just free so the hold down can clamp the distributor in the block. Once again if you don't have a lathe handy you can file it off,put the factory end of the bushing down where it can ride on the oily block. Question 2 Yes my .488 shaft is not a close fit in that bore above the oil pump,you need clearance to get it stabbed and once it is in there it can't get away and is well lubricated by oil splash. I don't like to cut the factory made on there hold down collar if I don't have to. That method would work just fine though too. I have one (out in my fleet ) where I just silver brazed an extention on the very bottom of the pump tang to reach the oil pump,kind of questioned that but it has run thru heat and cold. Figured if it failed it would be in cold weather when the oil is thick and hard to move. The .500 I.D. bushing is really just holding that upper tang joint in place but it is supporting the gear. So Good Luck with your build this makes 3 or 4 different versions so far. The leftover 1/2 bushing is just right to do another one,just need 2 more roll pins and a piece of shaft.
Last edited by fixite7; 04/29/2023 2:19 AM.
