Oil pump / distributor gear will not come out from the top

Get your self some oil and squirt it on the gear, cover it well where it meets the cam. They have a tendency to stick a little. If you have access to a good size flat head screw driver maybe one that has a wrench type nut on the bottom of the handle if not then use a crescent wrench on the flats of the screw driver to help twist the screw driver you will feel it pop and when it pop's you then will be able to clock it the way you want it. I just went through this a week ago on a 340, I had to change the clocking because of a HEI distributor that was pointing at #7. Good luck and don't give up, have a little patience, and yes it is clockwise.
Bob