Doing some reading last night on more of the other engine brands with roller retrofits, it looks like increased oiling is a common point on them all to getting the drive gear to live. Some platforms just have it way easier than others in getting forced fed oil there.
Most of the materials are picked just because of their softness relative to the cam, so the gear wears instead of the cam.
I have a new OEM bushing in the block, did the Chuck Senatore method of using the old drive gear to install it and it ended up perfect.
This morning, the melanized gear I ordered is still backordered past its arrival date, so that might be out the window along with my carpet kit. I did get a tipped roller friendly fuel pump pushrod though. If I run out of time with the body shop, I will keep the bronze and keep the squirter I guess. Covid kills builds...