so that cam gear just stays in place to keep the shaft from moving in the housing? it wont hit the brass bushing in the block for the intermediate shaft?
No it will not hit the brass bushing. On a small block the oil pump drive shaft sits down into the brass bushing the distributor is in there with the old down and that slot mates into the oil pump drive slot. That gear is just there for the ride. It is pinned and keeps it all together. It is a Hitch Hiker! haha