I'm pulling the distributor on my 1996 4.3 blazer. If I remember correctly you mark the rotor cap's position (I bought a new one) to the body of the distributor and mark the body of the shaft against the lower intake manifold (lower plenum).

On the lower marking, do I mark against the hold down C-bracket or remove the hold down and mark on the actual surface of the lower intake manifold. There is a spot on the side of the shaft facing the driver's side (left side) that is not covered by the C-bracket that could be marked with a little more effort, prior to loosening the C-bracket.

Any Suggestions?

 

I marked the rotor position on the fire wall and marked the distributor shaft to the lower intake. When you pull the distributor make note of where the rotor is pointing just before it comes out so you have an idea of where it should be pointing when your ready to re-install it. It will turn as your removing it.

 

Remove the distributor cap, then manually rotate the crankshaft clockwise with a socket & ratchet until the rotor segment points to the "6" on the housing:



The timing marks on the vibration dampener should look like this:




#1 piston is now at TDC of its compression stroke. Remove the hold down bolt & distributor. DO NOT rotate the crankshaft while the distributor is removed. When reinstalling, the rotor segment must line up with the "6", (just as it was when you removed it) when the distributor is fully seated against the intake manifold. Check & adjust camshaft retard.... done.