my ignition rotor is broken?

1998 CHEVROLET 1500
8,000 MILES • 5.7L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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CHEVYNMDRUBY23
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my mechanic broke my screw ears on my distributor, the cap came off and the rotor got broke. The button is okay, but some of the raised edges are broken. Yesterday I pulled the distributor out to inspect it. No oil was dripping off of the bottom part of the shaft. gears seemed to be fine. There isn't any movement when the bolt is holding the base, but my rotor moves left to right. I thought I had fixed it and set the timing but had not done the timing light yet. The engine was at a rough idle n then shut off. Now I have no start, a weird crank and no spark.
Dec 10, 2023 at 9:20 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I have seen the pin that holds the gear to the main shaft of the distributor shear and causes the timing to be off or not turn the distributor internally. I would remove the distributor cap and crank the engine over to see if the rotor turns. Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
Dec 11, 2023 at 12:38 PM
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