the drive gear slips through the distributor opening in the block. there are two kind, pinned and shrink fit. if you have the gear off the shaft to the oil pump the flat side goes down and the end with the slotted end is facing up so you can adjust distributor timing at the spark plug. hope this helps.
In a mopar 440 the distributor drive gear notch is set inline with the crankshaft, but it's just a reccomended starting point as long as you have enough space to turn the distributor in either direction to adjust timing when installed.
counter clockwise.. http://boxwrench.net/specs/bchrys_B.htm clockwise
Mopar ATF+3 or Mopar ATF+4
you do not adjust a distributor cap you adjust the timing.
get #1 cylinder on top dead center and then put the distributor rotor bug a hair before the #1 plug wire on the distributor and drop in down into the engine and all should be fine.
The distributor induction coil may not be sending a signal to trigger the spark. Wiggle that pigtail wire coming out of the distributor boy and see if the engine will start. If it does, then install a new induction coil. The wires coming out of the distributor body sometimes develop breaks. If the dealer doesn't have the coil, then you can use a substitute Mopar part from NAPA, however, the Mopar part doesn't fit as tight into the distributor body as the original part. Plan to pay about $50 for the part. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Save the screws from the original part. If I remember correctly, the replacement screws with the Mopar part are bit short.
Mopar or hemi
Yes with the 2.02 heads the 273 will run good for a small engine
Mopar Magnum 318 CID
Mopar 5281090Mopar 5281090
it means its a mopar smallblock
.o17 is about right