Ok, I just received my new "melonized" distributor gear from GMpartsdirect.com. Possible silly question coming up:

How does the old gear remove? The two gears are the same size and shape, and have the straight thru hole for what looks like a set pin or something.

Does it tap out? And the screwdriver piece in the end I assume is for the oil pump.

Accell 71000 series dist.

Help.

You are right on both. The hole on the gear you are referring to has a roll pin in it. I lay distributors across a vise that is opened slightly and drive them out with a punch. I'm sure someone will chime in with an easier way. The slot in the bottom does drive the oil pump. That is why you need to turn the rotor as you install the distributor....to get the slot to line up.

Yup, your right just use a punch and a small hammer to drive it (the roll pin) out. And yes, the bottom is for the oil pump, make sure you line the oil pump shaft up with the way the dist. goes in or it won't go all the way in (you'll see what I mean) you can use a large flat head screw driver to move the oil pump shaft.

From what I've been told (and is therefore what I do) is to make sure the dimple on the gear (near the roll pin hole) is lined up with the rotor tip.

From what I've been told (and is therefore what I do) is to make sure the dimple on the gear (near the roll pin hole) is lined up with the rotor tip.

That's correct - allows timing to be set properly without having the vacuum advance can hit either the plug wire support or the #8 intake runner.
:beers: