I have a small journal 327 in my 68 nova. I recently decided to install a mallory pro comp 9000 hei distributor. It has been hell so far! beating the firewall of a 40 year old car with no rust is insane,but I did it.
The problem now is a tdc the oil pump shaft kinda just falls forward and when I try to put in the disty it wont drop down the whole way.however if I put the disty in and turn the crank it will drop downthe rest of the way. Ideas on how to keep the shaft from tippin over?? any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I seriously doubt the shaft is tipping over. The problem is the gear turns as you set it down. Thats why when you turn it, it eventually lines up and drops down.

You just need to get a feel of how far ahead the slot is, set it in, turn it over to get it drop down where you want it.

 

Should there be a nylon bushing to keep it in place..the engine is a 64

 

Yes there is a nylon or steel bushing to help keep the shaft on the oil pump.