Sorry for the basic questions, I'm still in the process of learning. This is more of a general engine question, but since I'm working on a 351w...

I pulled the distributor, and the end of the shaft had a gear on it. This connects to the oil pump, right? I'm guessing the oil pump drives the distributor, so this begs two more questions. First, what drives the oil pump? Secondly, I've heard of people blowing up their engines because their oil pump died. If the oil pump goes, why would the engine continue to run if it's attached to the distributor?

Thanks!

 

The gear engages with and is driven by a matching gear on the cam (you should be able to see it after you remove the distributor). There is a hex shaft that drives the oil pump that engages in the hex socket in the bottom of the distributor shaft. So - the oil pump is driven by the distributor, not the other way around.