2 ?s on lining up a distributor 02 vortec 5.7

**qwik219d9** · 03-15-2018, 07:49 PM

2 ?s on lining up a distributor 02 vortec 5.7

?1.should the distribuater not be inserted when bumping engine finding TDC on #1?
?2.when cylinder 1 is at TDC is it 6 or 8 that is also at TDC?

**0rion** · 03-16-2018, 02:26 AM

The way I did it the first time was pull #1 plug and put some tape over the hole. Bump it until you hear the tape blow off. That puts you top dead on 1. Then just line distributor up with #1.

**qwik219d9** · 03-16-2018, 02:48 AM

when cylinder 1 is at TDC is it 6 or 8 that is also at TDC?
and I assume the distrib. should not be inserted while find TDC on 1 or 6

this is a van I can only cover the rear cylinder so when #6 is at TDC so is #1 correct so where should the rotor point to 1 or 6

**qwik219d9** · 03-16-2018, 03:59 AM

I think I see where I messed up when trying to aim the rotor at #6 I shouldn't have unbolted the rotor I should have suspended the distrib. above the gear then rotate the rotor then lower the distib. this sound right?

also can the rotor still be used even w/the aligment pins broken off?
feel like I'm talking to myself here.

**GTP231** · 03-16-2018, 06:56 AM

With 1 on tdc line the distributor up with the 8 on the housing

**0rion** · 03-17-2018, 02:24 AM

I'm working on memory of 15 years ago and considering I barely remember yesterday take it for what it's worth. I remember it being a bitch to line up. I remember it being a dance between that distributor, rotor, and oil pump to get it lined up right. I pulled and reinstalled it a bunch of times before I got it on. Just have to stay after it until you get it.

**qwik219d9** · 03-17-2018, 04:43 AM

This is a V8 engine. cylinder #1 located driver side frontmost cylinder.
cylinder #6 rearmost on pass. side.

So this is true cylinder 1 is 180 degress out of phase from cylinder 6.

I am able to get cylinder #6 at TDC

I was aiming directly at #6 when I should have been aiming 180 from 1 so the rotor will actually be pointing to the firewall on the turcoise line does this sound correct?

Lastly what size is the harmonic balancers bolt I may need to rotate engine like when I get gears meshed rotor lined up and it close to but not enitirely seated on mannie.

I have been fighting this thing for a few hours seams everytime I turn the key to attempt ignition I hear feel explosions inside engine hope I didn’t do more damage.

also can the rotor still be used even w/the tiny aligment pins broken off?
Thanks Guys for advice

**qwik219d9** · 03-17-2018, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by GTP231

With 1 on tdc line the distributor up with the 8 on the housing

I cant understand your advice? are you say to aim the rotor to #8 instead of 1 on cap?

out of desperation I decided to pull #1 plug and stick finger in 1 bump engine felt the same stuff a little suck then nothing then the blast of air same as when doing this procedure on #6

so I take a look under the distributer cap and observe 1 nipple is a tad more to left so instead of aiming rotor to the cylinder I aimed for the nipple still no ignition.

crawled under there looking for a timing tab, I did see a line on the harmonic balancer however there is no timing tab for me to lineup the balancer to verify TDC. the timing can't be set w/ a timing light on this 02 vortec so is there or isn't there a timing tab?

when bumping engine over maybe the first blow isn't the compression stroke should I continue bumping for the second blow? I actualley allready tryed this still no igntion.

I've done this procedure about 25 times and think I'm creating internal damage like I hear explosions starter grinding other unnormal noises I must be missing something here so back to videos (there's none for a express van).

I found there are two dots on the lower end of dis. shaft that need to line up w/ another mark also on the lower dis. shaft I've sean a faint looking G but a little higher on shaft. my shaft has no marks other than the 2 lower dots.

additionalley I also have the #8 that is engraved on the metal piece that holds the rotor cap for the cam sensor lined up w/ 6.
as sean on this video.

I'm about to give up.

**GTP231** · 03-17-2018, 03:36 PM

On the distributor housing you will see a 6 and an 8. The 8 will be #1 on small blocks. You may have to pull the rotor off to see it the first time. Given it's a Vortec it probably needs a new cap and rotor anyway

**qwik219d9** · 03-17-2018, 06:53 PM

I dont see the 6 engraved or printed I do see the 8 this is how I have 8 lined up w/6.

I bought this van less than 2 years ago and swapped dis.cap and rotor both expensive AC delco over $50 plus spark plugs an wires so cap isnt very old

however I did break one of the rotors tiny alignment pin.

I found there are two dots on the lower end of dis. shaft that need to line up w/ another mark also on the lower dis. shaft I've sean a faint looking G on the video but don't see the third mark on shaft. my shaft has no marks other than the 2 lower dots.

I definately have spark from coil.

the #6 sparkplug smells like gasoline could one gas fouled plug prevent engines from starting?