Well I started reassembling the distributor today and when I got to the point where I could install the retaining collar on the lower shaft I noticed that the holes had elongated. Not by much but enough where if I'm going to do this right I might as well replace it. There's no friction fit between the pin and the collar- because of that it's hard to tell if I have correct end-play.

The only place I know of to get a new collar is a dealer, and I know it'll have to be ordered- so it looks like the distributor's not going in this weekend


Edit- After looking at it again I see that the pin is a friction fit in one of the holes in the collar- but the other hole is fairly loose. If I have to I probably could live with this, but to be sure I'll replace it if I can....