[blykins]

I only like to do it twice, including the original gear install. I've never had an issue doing it that way.

Trying to line up the pin hole with a press fit gear, while simultaneously making sure the gear is installed with the correct dimension is almost impossible.

To everyone reading this, Ford has a dimensional tolerance, measured from the bottom face of the gear to the distributor flange. This has to be held, or you will get wear on the gear or on the engine block itself. There's a different spec on whether the end play is taken out or present when you measure.

For instance, on a SBF MSD distributor, you push the shaft towards the rotor, taking out the end play, and the spec should be 3.995-4.005". An FE has a different dimension, 3.045-3.050". A BBF uses a Cleveland distributor, which uses the SBF dimension.