New bronze distributor gear tight

I'm putting a new gear in, and it is tighter than the old one, and I don't remember the old one being this tight when new.

When twisting it down to fall in place, it take a little effort. I'm not forcing it, but it does take some twisting effort, and when removing it it definitely takes more effort than the old one.

This one is a mopar piece, I know the old one was not.

I measured the OD of both units, and they are exactly the same, so it has to be the gears cut somewhat differently.

Is this an issue?

Measure the oil pump shaft diameter and look closely at the oil pump drive bushing to see if may be causing your problem with the new Milidon oil pump drive with the new bronze gear
I would loosen the oil pump and lower it or remove it to see if the new shaft fits better that way if you can't determine what is causing the iseue

Ah, you would think I would learn over time, having done enough of this, but no...

In my description I should have pointed out that it is only when the gear is engaging with the teeth on the camshaft that it is tight.

That being said, it doesn't mean it isn't the pump. Although in that case it would be the shaft of the gear drive, as the old one did not have this issue. I'll try that out and let you know.

I had the same issue mocking up a new engine. I had to remove the oil pump to get it back out. Sometimes these new R3 blocks need some clearancing in that area but that was'nt the problem. This motor has a brand new roller cam also so i'm not sure if its the pump gear or the cam gear. I used this shaft before with no problems and I replaced the gear..

Could be the bushing is tight. (I know you said the other shaft spun ok.) Sometimes when I put one in without using the proper tool to burnish the bore on the way out they are tight.

That's what I'm thinking; if the bushing wasn't burnished properly, the aftermarket shaft might have fit OK but not the factory shaft.

I had to lightly file the hex end on one of the drives I've had over the years. I also had to put one in the drill to clean up the shaft with with fine sandpaper.

I've had to lightly sand the bushing ID to get them to fit right or use the burnishing tool which I don't have

I have the burnishing tool and I used it as always on this engine. I am beginning to think that the op has a point that these new gears are being cut a little different. I never had this problem before.

If it does it with the pump out then use layout blue on the intermediate shaft gear teeth. Spin the motor over a few times by hand and pull the gear. See how the teeth look.

I have seen a few with no chamfer on the leading edge of the teeth.