This annoyance doesnt stop. So I was able to find an NOS shaft about as close as possible to mine. This is for the 383 manual trans A-body distributor versus my auto. Short of an exact match, probably as good as it gets. I am smiling.
I get the box today and open it up, NOS box, sealed tight with original staples, never opened, wrapped in wax paper, feeling good. Size up the shaft and it is perfect length. Then I look and dont see the hole for the roll pin. NOS shafts dont come with this hole??
Yes, I can drill it, but man, this is not getting any easier. Drilling on a round hardened shaft is gonna be tough. I have a drill press, but need to come up with a way to ensure this thing does not move. I guess clamping it on some wood could work.

Interesting note. The 383 shaft has a different arrangement of the advance weight holes then I recall seeing. They are on an angle, unlike the 440 shaft I have and other distributors have. Weights also dont throw out as much before the springs kick in.