Installation (Engine Has Been Rotated With Distributor Removed)
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Safari and 2003 Chevrolet Astro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, will cause a no-start condition. Premature engine wear or damage may result. If the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates after installing the distributor and DTC P1345 is set, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.
- If engine was rotated after distributor was removed, remove No. 1 spark plug. Place finger over cylinder No. 1 spark plug hole. Crank engine slowly until compression is felt. The 2 marks on the crankshaft pulley should align with the 2 engine front cover tabs. See Fig 1 . If necessary, rotate engine by hand until timing marks are fully aligned.
- Align White paint mark on bottom stem of distributor and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear. See Fig 2 . Using a long screwdriver, align the oil pump driveshaft to the drive tab on the distributor.
- Carefully lower distributor into engine with flat side of distributor housing facing toward front of vehicle. See Fig 3 . Once distributor is fully seated, distributor rotor should be aligned with pointer cast into distributor housing.
- If distributor rotor is not properly aligned, remove distributor and repeat procedure until mark aligns properly. Install distributor hold-down bolt and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Install new distributor cap screws. Tighten to specification. Repeat installation procedure if the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates after installing the distributor.