Luce,
This story is at least eleven years old:
Tom challenges the Butcher! Dist gear failure report...
Bottom line: bad gear and/or placement from Ford on a crate motor. Tom == out $2200, Ford == bad, bad, bad...
Sorry this is still happening. Maybe Ford doesn't know how to build a performance engine?
This engine BTW just turned 30,000 miles, some of it very hard miles on the track at Sebring etc. It was completely rebuilt by an independent builder.
I wouldn't trust a Ford crate motor any farther than I could throw it one-handed.
All the subsequent engines I use have been built by independent guys who seem to be interested in doing a good job, like most of the engine guys on this web site.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Sounds as if you have the correct attitude - fix the problem and get on with having fun in life; try not to make the same mistake again!
Tom