Dropped the pan and pulled the pump today. Simply reinstalling the pump solved the problem. Apparently there is a bit of play in the mounting holes. I also discovered the real problem in installing the distributor. The engine builder had used an
oil galley plug that was long enough to stick out almost 3/8" into the path of the distributor. Without the gear the distributor went in fine. With the gear on the plug blocked the installation. Removed and replaced the plug with a shorter one and all is fine....( Of course it took 5 hours to remove the entire front end of the engine in order to do it!) I'm beginning to wonder about this builder. Has anyone heard of or dealt with Creb Engineering in RI?