When removing a distributor from these engines is it as simple as loosening the lock down collar and pulling it straight out? Also how are these engines primed. I looked down the hole from the distributor and saw what looked like a small rod that looked like it had a diamond shape on the top but I'm fairly certain that isn't used to prime the engine. This is my first time working on a ford motor and the plan was to just rebuild everything except the heads and short block. I am just double checking to make sure there is nothing I could screw up with the distributor that would leak to pulling the heads and crank off this motor since they were just gone through.

 

Yes, the distributor pulls straight up after the clamp is removed. And, it connects to a shaft that runs the oil pump, so to prime the engine you can turn that shaft. I use my battery-powered impact with a 1/4" extension and socket, and tape the pieces together so they can't fall into the pan. As for the size of the socket, I don't remember but it is the same as the bottom of the distributor shaft.

 

Dogievlg,

Gary is correct! That small rod you are seeing is the oil pump drive shaft. As Gary stated you should tape everything together and spin it with a drill to prime the oil system - just remember that you're spinning everything counterclockwise! A lot of times the distributor will get fused to the block from galvanic corrosion, so the fact you were able to get it out is good news.