Distributor gear help needed…

Have the donor Newport’s 383 torn down and ready to send to the machine shop. Still need to remove the distributor drive gear. I’m assuming I need to pull it out shaft and all but it doesn’t want to come out. I’ve lightly tapped on the bottom of the shaft from the bottom of the engine and it rises the gear enough to remove the cam but the shaft and gear seem to not want to go any further. My workbench big block Mopar book only has this to say about it. (Pic) Help?

It probably just has engine buildup on the shaft and is getting stuck in the tunnel. Use some penetrating oil and work it around. Should pop out of there. 440'

Personally if it’s going to the machine shop and you have it down to that point I’d let them pull it. More than likely the lower part below the bushing is probably gummed up. But if you wanna try I’d be soaking the bushing with wd40 or pb blaster and rotating it while pulling up. The shop should be replacing the brass bushing it rides in.

Dubob said:

Personally if it’s going to the machine shop and you have it down to that point I’d let them pull it. More than likely the lower part below the bushing is probably gummed up. But if you wanna try I’d be soaking the bushing with wd40 or pb blaster and rotating it while pulling up. The shop should be replacing the brass bushing it rides in.

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Thanks fellas!!