Distributor help needed

[Danimal]

I am trying to use my 1965 289 distributor in my new 89 motor and I am being told that I need to use a bronze or steel distributor gear because of the roller cam. Anyone know? When ever I try to pull the distributor, the drive shaft comes with it and the little retainer falls in the pan. Had to pull the pan twice now and I am tired of it. I have to put the oil pump driveshaft in the vice and pry it out of the distributor. After I get it loose, it slides in and out like butter. I wonder if the oil pump shaft may be a little too long? I used the one that is for an 89. Any help is appriciated.

Thanks,
Dan

[whe3ls]

use a steel gear.

[Metz Motorsports]

In my experience (never with a ford tho) the dist. gear will need to be compadible with the cam shaft. And basically there are 2 options. Your '89 is probably a factory roller cam so what you'll need to know is if the factory cam is cast iron or steel billet. It being 'factory' there is a strong possibilty that its a cast iron cam and therefore a stock (cast iron) dist. gear would be used. A steel billet (as in most aftermarket roller cams) cam would require a bronze gear. So the question would be, what is an OE '89 roller cam made of?

[Danimal]

It is a aftermarket cam. I am running a trickflow stage 1 which is a billet cam.

Thanks,
Dan