Doubtful that just removing the pickup tube you provide enough room, the pump is only 2 bolts, unless the driverod is badly gummed up in the distributor shaft, (very unlikely), the drive rod will come down with the pump. it is not really a big deal to put the pump and drive rod back in, you just need to verify that the top of the shaft fits into the hole in the block, and into the distributor shaft, although personally, I would remove the distributor, both for ease of shaft installation, and being able to make sure the shaft is properly located inside the hole in the block, not to mention, being able to prime the oil pump to ensure the pump will prime after being off the engine.