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« on: January 09, 2017, 18:46:24 »
Yes. It's a fairly easy job to pull the distributor and examine or change the drive gear. The drive gear is shrunk and/or pinned onto the distributor shaft
Be aware that the oil pump drive shaft is 'loose' in the block and not mechanically attached to either the distributor shaft or the oil pump. The drive shaft can be lightly stuck to the distributor shaft and as you begin to remove the distributor the drive shaft can release and then fall back into into the sump. When I pulled my distributor the shaft did fall back, but not into the sump although I could see that being possible.
While you're at it, consider replacing the low quality original drive shaft with an aftermarket alternative (see Real Steel). Only a few pounds and eliminates the threat of a sheared shaft and no oil pressure.
Replacing the distributor and aligning the oil pump drive is a bit of a knack but nowadays Google is your friend. Youtube, forums etc have been including guidance on how to pull/replace 289/302 distributors for years.
Good luck