Distributor installation

1994 CHEVROLET 1500
238,000 MILES • 4.3L • V6 • 2WD
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BLACKSHEEP94
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Trying to put in a new distributor when #1 is at TDC the distributor is pointing to #5 (back cylinder on drivers side). the the only place it'll drop all the way down.
Aug 13, 2019 at 6:17 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 11,004 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Let's pick up the distributor and sort of put the rotor button pointing towards #1 spot where you want it.

The shaft will twist on the way down so compensate for that.

Now the part that's getting you!

Got it where it needs to be when seated?

Now pull the distributor completely out.

The bottom of the distributor shaft looks like a big straight blade screwdriver.

It mates up with a slot down inside the distributor hole.

This "slot" is the oil pump. The distributor drives/turns it!

The trick here is take a big straight screwdriver and "tweak" (turn) the oil pump slot until the distributor will drop all the way down and your rotor button is where it needs to be.

This may take a little time and patience to get it just right, it will finally drop in!

Let us know how it goes.

The Medic
Aug 13, 2019 at 7:53 PM
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