I removed the distributor with no problem. I marked where the rotor was pointing and also the relation of the #1 plug to the engine. I made sure I dropped the new distributor in with the rotor ending up pointing in the same direction as the old one. After the distributor seated, the rotor didn't point "exactly" the same as the old one. It was about 1/4 of an inchoff of where the original pointed because I couldn't get it to drop in completely at that point. I didn't know this before, but I found out that it also needed to engage the oil pump drive shaft. I could have bumped the engine to get it to drop in at that point. So I might be off by one tooth on the camshaft gear. Is that a bad thing? Should I pull the distributor and rotate the rotor by one tooth? Or will I be able to make up that small difference when I time the engine? FYI, the engine started but is not as smooth as I think it should be. Don't know if it's because of how I installed the distributor, or if its another issue with plugs, wires, etc.

 

sorry for late reply. you are all good. you'll be able to make up for the difference simply by turning the distri later for timing. i'd say you figured that by now.
the distributor as you say has to be fully engaged. must be fully in the shaft where the thing belongs.
So from what you describe it sounds all good juist needs timing adjusted.