Assuming you installed the shaft from the oil pump side and the washer ended up at the distributor boss that means the washer is too small. The correct washer won't let it go past the oil pump end hole in the block.

Ok, someone needs to clarify terminology.  The distributor/oil pump intermediate shaft has two ends, one goes into the oil pump, and one goes into the distributor.  The star washer is supposed to be 5/8" diameter, and it fits on the end of the shaft that engages the distributor, not the oil pump end.  The star washer butts up against the block so that the shaft cannot be disengaged from the oil pump.  To put the star washer on the oil pump end would not stop the shaft from becoming dislodged from the oil pump.  Joe-JDC

JDC

So let me see if I have this right , let’s assume the 292 is attached to an engine stand. I rotate the engine so the crankshaft is up and the intake manifold is down. I now take the oil pump driveshaft with the washer installed and insert the assembly into the engine with the washer towards the floor or the down. The washer is on the end the dizzy fits into. The oil pump slips over the shaft and gets bolted to the block . The washer is out of sight way up in the engine at the bottom of the dizzy. If that is the case I have the washer in the wrong place. But I am beginning to think it just does not matter. Since the pump is not in the pan and if the rod gets displace it really can’t go to far. 

Depends on which Washer You have. Too big to go into Block means it goes on the End that goes into the Oil Pump. That's where it is supposed to go with the 'Original Washer that's too big to go into Block.. If You re-read Ted's Post that gives the Explanation. The Washer supplied with the ARP Shaft is smaller than the Original Proper Washer originally used.

  

I said it correct.  The star washer fits on the distributor end.  It is on the crankcase side of the block, not the valley side.  It is on the end that fits into the distributor shaft to keep it from pulling up through the block and disengaging the oil pump.  Joe-JDC

JDC

The washers are on the oil pump shafts for two reasons.  The first is so that the oil pump drive stays in place during engine assembly and doesn’t allow the shaft drop out of the engine when the engine is upside down with the distributor not yet in place.  For this reason it’s important that the washer be installed on the Oil Pump end of the intermediate shaft.  This is from Ted's Post.


  

So we are saying the 5/8  washer goes on the upper end of the oil pump driveshaft on the side closest to the oil pan to keep the oil pump 
driveshaft from coming out of the oil pump.  Has anyone ever had one come out of the oil pump under any rpm?  Just wondering if i should take
the oil pump off and install the 5/8 washer on the arp  driveshaft and reinstall the oil pump.  I have the distributor installed.  Thanks 

Located in Harford County Maryland 

Folks, you are messing up with the pictures.  That star washer fits under the block side of the crankcase to keep the shaft in the oil pump, not allowing it to come up with a distributor when it is removed from the topside.  That picture is with a stock shaft.  On the ARP or whoever's performance shaft, the star washer is installed at the top, and installs before the oil pump to keep the shaft in place.  The star washer goes on the pointed end which is rounded to allow the distributor shaft to center the shaft when you drop it in place.  The squared off end is installed in the oil pump.  There is no  star washer on the oil pump end of the ARP performance shaft.  I just opened up an ARP package, and per their instructions:  "Push the retaining clip(star washer) onto the pointed end of the shaft.  Then insert the shaft into the pump with the clip facing up towards the distributor.  Pump drive shaft also has a mark showing which end is installed up towards the distributor."  Joe-JDC


JDC