<VV> distributor wont fit

[Michael Kovacs]

 I cant seem to get the distributor to go all the way down on a disturbed engine. Yes, I know how to align the gears and the oil pump to the shaft. I've done this dozens of times. This distributor that when compared to others in the stash, the shaft and blade are absolutely identical. I can put any of the other ones I tried into the engine properly. #1 piston at TDC

Shaft stops about 3/8" from engaging the pump which is the amount the blade at the bottom of the shaft fits into the oil pump. I am stumped!

My last resort will be to disassemble the distributor and replace it with a shaft from one that fits. I'd test  shaft fit before a total reassembly. 

MIKE KOVACS