Whether or not I actually will replace it, who knows, but if I was going to, is there anything else that needs to be removed before the distributor can come out?

And lets say if I'm not entirely sure my distributor was put back in the right way, how would I go about making sure it's in correctly? And if I have to go a tooth at a time, do I need to go through the complete install/uninstall procedure each time or can I leave some things unbolted to make it a little easier?

I am referencing this thread for the install process.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/2nd-ge...-blazer-11414/

 

To ensure that the distributor will go back in correctly, the best thing you can do is rotate the engine to top dead center (TDC). There should be a process you can search for on the forum for doing that. There are tabs on the timing cover that you align a mark on the harmonic dampener with. There is also a mark on the distributor to show that the distributor rotor is at the #1 firing position.

There is only one bolt that holds the distributor in. All you have to remove are the ignition wires from the distributor cap and the distributor cap itself to clear the firewall. It just comes straight up and out.

The stock type distributors have a mark on the distributor shaft that you align the rotor with. As the distributor is dropped in, the rotor rotates and should line up with the #1 firing position. There will be a little play, but it will be way off if you are a gear tooth off. Make sure the distributor is seated all the way against the intake manifold and put in the hold down bolt.

 

And make sure you align the oil pump slot with the bottom of the distributor.