Oh, for you fun, the cam retard is in the pid list. As Les has said use the one with the single asteric.

 

Sounds like a plan. Would be interesting to know where the cam retard is before you change gears, just for the record. You have considered the all-aluminum Skip White distributor at $40 + ship, right?

Know that the distributor gear can go on the shaft turned 180°. This puts it in slightly different position due to 13 teeth (ie one way tooth lined up with roll pin, the other way in between teeth). Not really a problem when you make hold down adjustable and check/adjust cam retard but you won't have to adjust as much going back in if you get it right.

Les

 

Man, I forgot all about the skip white reference. I will take note of the cam retard before replacing the gear. It seems pretty straight forward, but I'll be sure to pay attention to where it is before I take it off. Any other things to be on the scout for?

 

I'm sorry. I see you already read the cam retard back in post 18 as -5.6°. That's all I was wanting to know. It's not really horrible, but your vehicle is not running horrible either - just an inermittent P0300 misfire. Some room for improvement with the cam retard and distributor gear if it is worn. I had to re-familiarize myself with your situation. If that doesn't fix it, then we continue on with diagnosis.

 

Out of curiosity, could this be the cause? I doubt it because, to my thinking, it would not be intermittent if it were solely the dist. gear. Just a thought.

 

Of course, I'll fix it and whatever else,lol,. just trying to understand a little better about what's happening in there.

 

Yes, worn distributor gears have been known to cause misfire codes to be set and it seems to be more than simple rotor position. Exactly how far the cam retard was off on these seems to be unknown, because of lack of capable scanner. That's why I asked about the "before cam retard". I suppose slop back and forth (changing setting) could also be an issue that whacks out the cam sensor or something. Just speculating. I tend to do that a lot. Dont' really know a lot of things, but I always try to learn!

 

Installed the gear last night,thought something was wrong when the distributor dropped right into place, lol. Also, noticed my plug wires, along with the coil wire were not in good shape, replaced them as well. when I looked at he plugs, they were a beautiful chocolate brown with nice looking electrodes that were properly gaped; I replaced them anyway. Started the truck, set cmp retard and man, was she happy! Test drive was such a joy, I took it out again after I cleared the code. On the way to work this morning, the numbers looked good, no miss-fires, fuel trims were nice and low consistently, everything is looking good! I'm gonna call it good, blame it on a combination of vacuum leak, bad plug wires, and distributor gear wear. Basically, under-maintenanced. I have read back through this thread and am amazed at what I have learned here though. Thanks to everyone who had some input here. Les Meyer, couldn't have done it without you, I am grateful. Captain, Blazer4x4, appreciate your knowledge as well. What a great forum.

 

Glad to hear a success story!! Good work!