How do you check to make sure the mesh between the 2 gears is correct? I want to avoid a chance of having a problem. The distributor is a new Mallory HEI. Cam is a comp XE274 hydraulic flat tappet. Thanks

You can use a long screwdriver or a priming tool to turn the oil pump shaft around to where it will mesh. It's not real hard to do if you have the right tools. Alternately you can put the distributor in, and bump the engine over until it falls into place. I've never tried this method, though I hear it works great.

What do you mean exactly? you want to stab the dist correctly or you want to know the clearance between the two gears or what?

73454 is right with the installation instructions. It doesn't really matter where you stick the distributor so long as you can still get a healthy range of motion to advance it.

Unless the distributor shaft is adjustable there really isn't a whole lot you can do. The way we do it on the adjustable collare shafts is to drop the distributor down and bottom the oil pump tang against the bottom of the distributor tang, tight the collar down, remove the distributor, install a gasket and reinstall. The clearance is the thickness of the gasket.

Your option will be to install the distributor, drive it for 50 to 100 miles, pull the distributor and check the teeth for a wear pattern. A poor pattern will shoe the teeth wearing to a razor edge over time.

THanks Rick. Thats what I was looking for. I should have explained myself better.