Distributor Installation

Important:  The engine front cover has 2 alignment tabs and the crankshaft balancer has 2 alignment marks (spaced 90 degrees apart) which are used for positioning number 1 piston at top dead center (TDC). With the piston on the compression stroke and at top dead center, the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (1) must align with the engine front cover tab (2) and the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (4) must align with the engine front cover tab (3).

1. Rotate the crankshaft balancer clockwise until the alignment marks on the crankshaft balancer are aligned with the tabs on the engine front cover and the number 1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke.
   Fig 1: Aligning Crankshaft Balancer With Engine Front Cover

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
2. Remove the distributor cap bolts and discard.
3. Remove the distributor cap.
   Fig 2: Removing Distributor Cap

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Install a NEW distributor gasket onto the distributor.
   Fig 3: Installing Distributor Gasket

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Align the indent hole on the driven gear with paint mark on the distributor housing.
6. Ensure that the distributor rotor segment points to the cap hold area.
   Fig 4: Aligning Driven Gear Indent with Distributor Housing Mark

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Align the slotted tang in the oil pump driveshaft with the distributor driveshaft.

   Rotate the oil pump driveshaft with a screwdriver if necessary.

8. Align the flat (1) in the distributor housing toward the front of the engine.
   Fig 5: Identifying Flat Side of Distributor Housing

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
9. Install the distributor and distributor clamp.

   The flat in the distributor housing must point toward the front of the engine.

   Fig 6: Installing Distributor & Clamp

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
10. Once the distributor is fully seated, align the distributor rotor segment with the number 6 pointer (1) that is cast into the distributor base.

    If the distributor rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the number 6 pointer (1), the gear mesh between the distributor and camshaft may be off a tooth or more. Repeat the procedure again in order to achieve proper alignment.

    Fig 7: Identifying Number 6 Pointer

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
11. Install the distributor clamp bolt.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

    Fig 8: Installing Distributor Clamp Bolt

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Install the distributor cap and NEW distributor cap bolts.

    Tighten 

    Tighten the distributor cap bolts to 2.4 N.m (21 lb in).

    Fig 9: Installing Distributor Cap

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Install the ignition coil wire harness.
    Fig 10: Installing Ignition Coil Wire Harness

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.