Need help installing distruibutor
 

Hi All

95 Blazer, 4 door, 4wd, 4.3 Vortec engine, 160,000 miles

Ran fine but I had a P0340 code. I changed the camshaft position sensor. To do this I had to pull the distributor. The screw heads were stripped and there was no other way to get the old sensor out. I was careful to mark the position of the rotor and reinstalled it exactly the same way - or so I thought.

It started hard but would run once started. It did sputter some while running. SES light was still on but now I was getting a P1345 code. According to my Haynes manual this can be caused by an improperly installed distributor. I pulled the distributor and advanced it one tooth. It wouldn't start at all. It didn't even try to start. I tried to retard it 2 teeth but I got all messed up and lost where it should be.

I followed the instructions in the Haynes manual to get it set right. I removed the #1 plug and turned the crankshaft with a wrench until I felt air comming out the spark plug hole. I continued to turn the crankshaft until the timing mark on the balancer is aligned with the V mark on the cover. I marked the correct location on the distributor - the 6. I installed the distributor so the rotor pointed at this mark when installed. Still wouldn't start. I did the whole procedure a second time and still nothing.

I checked and everything is connected properly: spark plug wires in the proper order and tight, sensor is hooked up, no loose hoses or wires. I am at a loss. Did I follow the procedure correctly to set the distributor? I turned the crankshaft clockwise looking at it from the front. Is this the proper direction? The distributor rotated clockwise looking down from the top so I think this was right. Is there anything I can do other than to start moving the distributor one tooth at a time until it works?

Thanks
Mike

A simple search for distributor timing would have found you this.

https://blazerforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24373

Thanks for the quick reply. I searched for distributor and didn't find what I needed. Your link is right on.

The Haynes book doesn't say anything about a second mark on the balancer. I'll give it a try and hopefully it works.

Thanks again

Mike

Success! and still scratching my head.

Well, I gave it another go last night with the info about the two timing marks. Still wouldn't start. I tried it several times because I wasn't sure if I was doing it right. Nothing. I then tried moving the distributor one and two teeth foward and back with still no luck.

Today I got my cousin to help. He couldn't understand why it wasn't working either. Then he suggested using a wire in the #1 spark plug hole and feeling for when the piston was at the top. The timing marks were nowhere close. They were 90 degrees off. With nothing to lose I set the distributor with the piston at the top by feel. It fired right up, runs good and no codes.

So now I'm a happy camper but what the heck happened to this car that the timing marks on the balancer would be wrong?

Mike

Some times the outer ring on the balancer can slip or move its possible yours has done that. I dunno but you got it and thats what matters right.