I can't get the oil pump/distributor gear out of my sb. What the heck is the secret to pulling it out of the hole???

no real secret I have always just grabbed it with long needle nose and pulled it out.

I've been trying that but it wont bring it all the way up before losing its grip.

Do you have a good strong "magnet on a stick"?

Use big flat head screw driver ...turn clock wise..it will walk up gear...

grab with pliers...

My magnet socks, wouldn't pick it up.
The screwdriver trick worked to get it walked up the gear, but not out the hold in the block.
I went back and tried with a different set of short needle nose, and 5 minutes later had it out!

Thanks for the help guys, that was driving me crazy.

I use 2 of the bigger craftsman screwdrivers, stick them both In the slot and squeeze both the handles together like a wedge then turn out till its out of the gears then pull up.