OK guys thanks for all the input....yes, it did actually happen. You know, you can adjust the vacuum advance mechanism on the distributor up or down - I mean literlaly, it can be too "low" on the body of the distributor, and apparantly the gears will still mesh, but the tang will be slightly short of engaging the drive on the oil pump.....this is exactly what happened to me (yes....embarrasing, to say the least)...I just rebuilt this darn engine....When I get the timing set properly, I'll re-post with some info on what she sounds like. As for steve's question, yes..it is difficult to tell if the tang is engaged. Just make sure the dist gets all the way in there - in may case, the best way for me to tell was to loosen the advance mechanism, slide it way, way up...push, check, push, push, re-check. fIre it up, and see if there's oil pressure.
