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Distributor replacement

Tiny
JVRIGGINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
How to replace a distributor on a 1995 4.3 tuneport engine
Saturday, November 1st, 2008 AT 9:42 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi: First. The 4.3 is a V-6 and has a different style of distributor

First, disconnect the battery. Next, remove the wiring from the distributor. Place the timing marks on the crankshaft harmonic balancer at top dead center (TDC). Identify the #1 spark plug wire on the distributor cap. Now remove the distributor cap and the rotor should be pointing to where the #1 plug wire was located. Make a mental note to the rotor's location. Remove the distributor. Now it's time to install the new one. Place the rotor on the new dist and make it point to where the #1 plug wire was originally located and slide the distributor in to place. Replace the bolt and only slightly tighten it so you can adjust timing when the car is running again. Replace the wiring to the dist and battery. Ignition timing is normally around 4 to 6 degrees before top dead center (BTDC). The exact timing will be listed under the hood on the engine info tag. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Joe
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Monday, December 1st, 2008 AT 12:55 AM
Tiny
DARREN MCMURRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
I am trying to install an opti distributor ono a 1995 caprice sedan used police cruiser. Ithere are three slots on the back of the cap housing and I dont know which slot is the correct slot although one slot has an indent towords the top of the slot. I have tried all three ways with negative affects. I have also replaced the plug wires which leaves a possibility that one or two may have been crossed. I don't know the proper location for each plug on the cap to tell if one did get crossed. So I'm stuck with which slot on the cap aligns with the cam pin and which wire goes where on the cap itself, please help and thank you, Darren
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Which motor

Roy
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARREN MCMURRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sorry, it's a 4.3 v8
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The motor must be at top dead center and the rotor pointing toward number 1 cylinder in the cap. That will set base timing and the final adjustment can be done when it is started.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LZ313
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,476 MILES
Yeah I have a 95 chevy caprice v8 4.3 and it kept backfiring and sputtering out I took it to a shop they said fuel pump and replaced it that wasnt the problem now I took it to another shop and they put it on a computer scope and it came back distributor now htere trying to charge me 450 dollars to change my distributor is there any manuals that you know of that can show me step by step instructions so I can do this my self and is this an easy job that can be done by my self
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Any work shop manual that covers your engine will show you how to remove & replace a distributor. You may even be able to get one from your local library.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARREN MCMURRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for the response however the opti cap does not specify wich plug goes where. Had the been a regular distributor your answer would be more than efficient. I can manage the tdc and the engines firing order but I can't manage the plug placement on the cap itself.
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Thats where you need someone with experience to place the wires in the correct order.

Roy
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARREN MCMURRAY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, I thought I was asking someone with experience, sorry to trouble you.
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I have 40 years of experience but without me being there and you knowing what you are doing, it wont work from here.

If I could give more than advice and was local, it is different.

Sorry I could not be more help

Roy
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHJALMAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
I have a 94 caprice with a 4.3 v8 I just put a new distributer in is there any specail way or thing I need to do when replacing it. It is a timeless dist I belive? TY
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Did you mark the position of the rotor and the distributor base before you remove it, if not its out of time-if its cranking over and w/n start
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THIS IS MIKE
  • MECHANIC
  • 686 POSTS
We do our best to help everyone we can. Contact Opti to find out the order on the cap, we don't have that information. Here is the firing order for both the 4.3L and the 5.7L in case your wires have been crossed during the installation.
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 AT 7:47 PM (Merged)

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