Lower dist. shaft problem

[Geo.T]

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While in a parade yesterday my electronic ignition failed (don't know why yet). I carry a fully timed original type spare dist. in my tool kit but couldn't install it for more than 3/4 of an hour due to not being able to get the top and bottom shafts to line up and engage. The dist. top shaft has virtually no play but the bottom shaft has about 3/16" lateral play. I finally packed grease around the bottom shaft to hold it in a centered posion and was thus able to make the connecton. With a bit of temporary wiring the car ran beautifully.
1. Does the rigidity and centering of the lower shaft depend solely
on the fit of the oil pump bushings ? I can't believe they would be that
loose (another answer)??
2. I want to drive the car (very short summers here) and don't look
forward to reinstalling another dist. under current conditions. I have
some rubber (plastic?) garden hose washers with a hole just slightly
larger than the 1/2" shaft but don't know the diameter of the
hole which the shaft sits in (outside diam. of washer). This would take
the place of the grease on a "get-by" basis
3. All comments appreciated.