LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> GMC >> 2003 >> Safari Van Cargo, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Engine Mechanical - 4.3L >> Repair Instructions >> Off-Vehicle Repair Instructions >> Distributor Installation

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).

Fig 1: Rotating Crankshaft Balancer Clockwise
G01644127Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  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.
  2. Remove the distributor cap bolts and discard.
  3. Remove the distributor cap.
    Fig 2: Removing Distributor Cap
    G01644128Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  4. Install a NEW distributor gasket onto the distributor.
    Fig 3: Installing New Distributor Gasket
    G01644129Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  5. Align the indent hole on the driven gear with the paint mark on the distributor housing.
    Fig 4: Aligning Indent Hole
    G01644130Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  6. Ensure that the distributor rotor segment points to the cap hold area.
  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: Aligning Slotted Tang
    G01644131Courtesy 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 And Distributor Clamp
    G01644132Courtesy 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 new 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: Aligning Distributor Rotor Segment
    G01644133Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
  11. Install the distributor clamp bolt.
    Fig 8: Installing Distributor Clamp Bolt
    G01644134Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Tighten 

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

  12. Install the distributor cap and NEW distributor cap bolts.
    Fig 9: Installing Distributor Cap
    G01644135Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Tighten 

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

  13. Install the ignition coil wire harness.
    Fig 10: Installing Ignition Coil Wire Harness
    G01644136Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.