This thread raises an important area that can easily be taken for granted. Evidently few have given it much thought. Regardless of which basic Ford engine we employ 289, 302, 351W, 351C, 427, 429, 460 etc; there is one design element that I have thought about for some time but never seen addressed in any engine article printed. The length of the distributor shaft that extends below the distributor gear and engages onto the
oil pump drive passes through a machined hole in the block and creates a thrust surface for the gear and the fit/clearance of these parts provides stability for the bottom of the distributor and hence the gear itself. It would seem some improvement could be had with a bearing of some sort, granted this is out of the question for a production engine application but the shaft in a Ford distributor
(OEM or Aftermarket) has a significant amout of side to side movement and could be reduced with a better fit in this area.
Any opinions
Rick