So i just had replaced my intake gasket this last weekend and when re assembling i got to putting the distributer back in and it wouldnt fall completely into the spot i think it should have according to the mark i made in referance to the rotor. the mark was placed on the fuel lines to the intake...could be possible that that coulda moved so i dropped it in the tooth that it would drop all the way in with and it appeard to be 1/4 or so ahead of my mark. i got it all together and it now starts harder than normal but once running it runs much better than it ever has before. could the hard starting be from being advanced a tooth? what are your ideas????

 

Sounds like it is a tooth advanced. Hard starting is a symptom of too much initial timing. Most scan-tools will show the spark advance (My $70 cheapie) does. I'm not sure how much the computer can compensate for the timing, though. Next time, be sure to make the mark on something that won't move! The firewall is usually a good choice!

 

If the distributor is off one or more teeth, DTC P1345 will set in memory and the check engine light will come on. Whenever the distributor is removed, camshaft retard must be checked, (and adjusted if necessary). It is checked with a capable scan tool, the el cheapo $400 or $500 scan tools won't access it. Spec is zero degrees, plus or minus 2 degrees. "Ignition advance" on the scan tool is what the PCM is applying, if camshaft retard is off, the amount of advance being utilized by the engine is off the same amount that camshaft retard is off. For example: If camshaft retard is -10 degrees, and the PCM applies +10 degrees advance, ignition timing is essentially 0 degrees. Along with adversely affecting ignition timing, it also causes crossfire inside the distributor cap.