Not being able to dispense with distributor head in rebuilt engine (7)

I believe the answer is:

needing

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'not being able to dispense' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'distributor head in rebuilt engine' is the wordplay.
'head' says to take the initial letters.
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'rebuilt' indicates anagramming the letters.
The initial letter of 'distributor' is 'd'.
'engine' anagrammed gives 'neeing'.
'd' put within 'neeing' is 'NEEDING'.

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for needing that I've seen before include "Wanting" , "Requiring" , "Short of, lacking" , "Eden gin (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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