I put a Torrington needle bearing in the top of stovebolt distributor housings to eliminate the housing wear and shaft wobble problems that have been troublesome for the past 70 years. The lack of shaft wobble also allows me to "blueprint" the cam lobes to get the same lift on each one and get the lobe centers exactly 60 degrees apart.

If you're concerned with the drive gear material on an older distributor, it's always possible to swap for a brand new, unworn bronze gear for a 250 6 cylinder engine. Race parts suppliers like JEGS or Summit have them listed, as well as several sources on Ebay.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!