Q&A

There is a seal (O ring) at the bottom of the distributor but if the distributor is not removed and replaced correctly the car will not start. Remove the distributor cap mark the exact position of the rotor to the distributor body and mark the distributor's position to the engine block. On re installation the gear will rotate so you must make sure the marks line up exactly! Autozone have some popular workshop manuals for free on line once you register (for free) on their website http://bit.ly/autozone_repair_info.
and get an online repair manual subscription. There is a company that independent auto repair shops buy their information from that the same information inexpensively to do it yourselfers. The information is year make and model specific repair procedures, service bulletins, component locations, wiring diagrams ect.... Alldata is very easy to navigate http://bit.ly/AllData_Repair_Manuals_Online

Sounds like you're on the right track.

I would suggest maybe getting an ALLDATA or Mitchell One subscription. Very inexpensive for what you get. Referencing ALLDATA, there is an exploded view of the distributor that may be helpful to you.

http://bit.ly/AllData_Repair_Manuals_Online
http://bit.ly/mitchell_repair_manuals_online

Good luck!