Well ill have to see what I can do, I keep getting cylinder 4 misfire, I have yet to diagnose it and find out what the problem is. But I have yet to get P1345 code again

 

As long as the distributor is installed correctly, you won't get the P1345.

Camshaft retard must be adjusted within specs and the crankshaft position sensor relearn must be performed before any further diagnosis can be done. If the basics are not right, nothing else will be right. All calculations that the PCM makes are based on correct input data from every sensor.

EDIT: One of the things camshaft retard does is correctly identify which cylinder is misfiring. If the adjustment is incorrect, cylinder misfire identification will also be incorrect, meaning that #4 might not be the problem.

 

Ok that makes more sence, how do I adjust the camshaft retard?

 

In a nutshell, you need a high dollar scan tool. If you take the vehicle to a shop, the labor charge should be less than 1 hour to check and adjust it.

The adjustment aligns the camshaft position sensor with the camshaft, (hence the name, "camshaft position sensor"). Data from the sensor is used by the PCM for detecting and acurately identifying cylinder misfire. Live camshaft retard data stream can only be viewed on a scan tool capable of accessing it, (the el cheapo $500 jobbies that the auto parts stores use can not access it). Desired spec is zero degrees, with a tolerance of + or - 2 degrees. It's not something you can adjust "by ear" or "seat of the pants" The adjustment is done by slightly rotating the distributor. When it is adjusted correctly, the rotor segment is aligned with the terminals in the cap when the ignition coil fires. This reduces/eliminates the possibility of crossfire inside the cap, and extends the life of the distributor cap, rotor, ignition module and ignition coil. In extreme cases, (if it's off too far) it can destroy the ignition module driver in the PCM.

Camshaft retard, and its adjustment, should not be confused with "ignition timing advance", they are two totally different things. To adjust ignition timing on engines that have a pickup coil and reluctor wheel inside the distributor, (or ignition points) the distributor is rotated. On your engine, the crankshaft position sensor and reluctor wheel on the front of the crankshaft replace/eliminate the pick up coil & reluctor wheel in the distributor. As a result, rotating the distributor has no affect on ignition timing. The PCM has full control of ignition timing.

FYI: The camshaft position sensor can be disconnected without a noticeable difference in engine performance. It will set a DTC in memory and turn the SES light on and there will be no misfire detection. Hope this helps.

EDIT: The crankshaft position sensor relearn needs to be performed as well, also done with a capable scan tool. This synchronizes the crankshaft position sensor with the reluctor wheel on the crankshaft.

 

Okay that all makes sence but one part, rotating the distributor. Exactly how do u go about doing this seeing as its not an old school 350 where u can adjust all the timing and everything. By the looks of it, it doesn't look like it has any "play" in it to adjust it. Maybe I'm wrong or there's something I missed, I really do appreciate all the help, I'm fed up with this thing!

 

Good question! The inside diameter of the hole in the intake manifold that the distributor goes through, is larger than the outside diameter of the distributor. This allows you to rotate the distributor slightly, (more or less on an arc). It allows ~15 degrees of total maximum adjustment. If that's not enough to bring camshaft retard to proper spec, (zero degrees) the original hold down bracket must be removed and a hold down bracket for a SBC installed, Mr. Gasket Distributor Hold-Down Clamps 1009 - SummitRacing.com This will make the distributor fully adjustable. The only physical restriction is the CMP sensor contacting the intake manifold.

 

Oh my god, thank you so much! I've been trying to figure that out for so long! I appreciate all the help! Again thank you so much!

 

You're welcome, let us know how it goes.