Your video really helped me set my distributor in my 4.3. I turned the engine over by hand by attaching a rachet to the nut on the alternator. Lined up second line on flywheel to top mark on engine. Went under the truck and found first line lined up with the line on the bottom of the front engine cover. Still wouldn't start. Pulled the distributor cap found rotor was out 180 degrees. Pulled the distributor out rotated rotor 180 degrees put back in but it did not just drop in. The keyway in the bottom of the distributor did not line up with the oil pump. To make that happen I put the bolt in and hand tighten it. Then I turned over the engine by hand and the distributor dropped in. Knew it was seated all the way because there was a gap between the bolt and the bracket that holds the distributor. Tighten the bolt,put the distributor cap on hit the starter and the engine started right up. I was determined to get this engine to run I was not going let it defeat me. Thanks for making this video.
@@GiorgosC-rp5ms if the distributor gear was still engaged to cam gear, yes it would still be in time. the slot on bottom of the distributor is oil pump drive. if you have the coil primary wire disconnected, you can even bump the starter to do this oil pump drive alignment.
when determining if on the compression stroke: it's easier to thread the plug in a few threads and turn the engine over. you can hear the air rushing past the plug as it tries to compress the cylinder. with how far in the plug is its kinda hard to tell just using your fingers
This is awesome. I have been struggling with my 2006 Silverado for months because of health issues and putting a new distributor in. I hope and pray that I am just out the 180* . No other video explains the every other rotation with the harmonic balancer. Only a few videos explain the harmonic balancer has two marks on it . Only a few explain to use the second mark for the top indicator. Thank you so much. I hope I’m just out the 180* 🤞 🙏
I just did this, couldn't get my finger all the way to hole. I made a tool to find compression stroke by myself see @resin doctor on TH-cam. Works great and easy, got my truck running again
There's an easier way if you haven't removed the distributor. Remove the cap and check the position of the rotor contact with the balancer marks on TDC. Even if it has jumped time it won't be off by much. Also the #1 on the cap is not were the #1 wire plugs into cap but across the cap the cap on 4.3. Look inside top of the cap and you'll see what I mean. If you are TDC on #1 Firing position the rotor contact will be point at the triangle bump on the distributor housing, sometimes marked with a 6 stamped in it. I know it's probably way to late for you but others may read this. Anytime I am ever going to remove a distributor I set the engine up on #1 TDC and then pull the negative batt cable. Never liked doing that finger over the spark plug hole thing but it does work if you can finagle your finger in there
Sorry I'm terrible at editing. I don't know how to highlight stuff or circle it. If you got to 2:03, the mark is behind the belt on the harmonic balancer behind the crank pulley. In line with the "T" in the word "THE" in front of the word "compression" in the title of the video. It's a grove on the harmonic balancer.
The top side timing indicator is on the plastic timing chain cover, it has a V notch in it. Couldn't tell what you had your mark lined up on but looked like you were to far over toward the Power Steering Pump. I recently changed intake gaskets on my 03, S-10 so I just went through all of this. Is there a difference between the 03 and earlier versions maybe?
@@railrider1622 If you have a book, follow it carefully and forget everything you've done before dead timing for a distributor install it's really pretty easy. It's when your experience knowledge kicks in and says to you, "that can't be right", that it gets complicated. I've dead timed SBC V-8's for 45 years and then do a 4.3 and suddenly you're in WTF ville. All this effort so that you don't have the option to change your timing and use the same distributor for a V-8 in a V-6. Way to go Chevy. LoL
@@x-man5056 im with ya! 👍 did chain kit while in there, new water pump, talk about cheap made distributor 🤦♂️ maf censor show bad next. Its been a challenge....comp. check doing now.
@@railrider1622 My book says 140 psi at 160 rpm. remv all sprk plugs, install the gauge, turn engine over until max pressure achieved. Document the pressure. do all cylinders. should be less than 15lbs difference between highest and lowest reading. Any cylinder less than 120 is suspect. There is more you can check with comp check but too much to document here. Search net or TH-cam for comp check trouble shooting. Good luck.
Your video really helped me set my distributor in my 4.3. I turned the engine over by hand by attaching a rachet to the nut on the alternator. Lined up second line on flywheel to top mark on engine. Went under the truck and found first line lined up with the line on the bottom of the front engine cover. Still wouldn't start. Pulled the distributor cap found rotor was out 180 degrees. Pulled the distributor out rotated rotor 180 degrees put back in but it did not just drop in. The keyway in the bottom of the distributor did not line up with the oil pump. To make that happen I put the bolt in and hand tighten it. Then I turned over the engine by hand and the distributor dropped in. Knew it was seated all the way because there was a gap between the bolt and the bracket that holds the distributor. Tighten the bolt,put the distributor cap on hit the starter and the engine started right up. I was determined to get this engine to run I was not going let it defeat me. Thanks for making this video.
but when u turned it and dropped in you didnt leave top dead center?
@@GiorgosC-rp5ms if the distributor gear was still engaged to cam gear, yes it would still be in time. the slot on bottom of the distributor is oil pump drive. if you have the coil primary wire disconnected, you can even bump the starter to do this oil pump drive alignment.
@@x-man5056 Or a very long screwdriver and mirror.
Can u contact me somehow and help me? I can’t get mine to time after doing lower intake gasket. Thank u
when determining if on the compression stroke: it's easier to thread the plug in a few threads and turn the engine over. you can hear the air rushing past the plug as it tries to compress the cylinder. with how far in the plug is its kinda hard to tell just using your fingers
Thanks for the tip!
That's a good idea 👍
Thank you for explaining the compression stroke, lol been stuck 3 days on this so it's safe to say I just need to turn the motor over once more
This is awesome. I have been struggling with my 2006 Silverado for months because of health issues and putting a new distributor in. I hope and pray that I am just out the 180* . No other video explains the every other rotation with the harmonic balancer. Only a few videos explain the harmonic balancer has two marks on it . Only a few explain to use the second mark for the top indicator. Thank you so much. I hope I’m just out the 180* 🤞 🙏
Good luck with your project!
Hey guys, just a little tip. Take off ur drivers side wheel to get to the spark plug a lot easier!!!
finally someone that explains it i was so confused, thank you. easy
I just did this, couldn't get my finger all the way to hole. I made a tool to find compression stroke by myself see @resin doctor on TH-cam. Works great and easy, got my truck running again
stick the plug in a few threads and listen for air leaking past.
Air movement on the Second Turn and you're on Top Dead Center!!! Ok that Sounds like A good Tip!!!!!
Set your alternator…..that inspires confidence.
When you install your distributor, not set your alternator, LOL sorry about that.
Got me worried that I had to set my alternator too lol. I'm having enough trouble trying to time this new distributor on an 04 safari
great video worked for me the first time.i had been struggling with this for a day.
i will try to reach my finger in while turning the crank...this is the only issue i was worried about for this job...just tight area to get to... thax
There's an easier way if you haven't removed the distributor. Remove the cap and check the position of the rotor contact with the balancer marks on TDC. Even if it has jumped time it won't be off by much. Also the #1 on the cap is not were the #1 wire plugs into cap but across the cap the cap on 4.3. Look inside top of the cap and you'll see what I mean. If you are TDC on #1 Firing position the rotor contact will be point at the triangle bump on the distributor housing, sometimes marked with a 6 stamped in it. I know it's probably way to late for you but others may read this.
Anytime I am ever going to remove a distributor I set the engine up on #1 TDC and then pull the negative batt cable. Never liked doing that finger over the spark plug hole thing but it does work if you can finagle your finger in there
Great video. Straight to the point! Good job.
I have seen this video many times but I do not see any mark in this video and it would be better if he pointed at the mark
Sorry I'm terrible at editing. I don't know how to highlight stuff or circle it. If you got to 2:03, the mark is behind the belt on the harmonic balancer behind the crank pulley. In line with the "T" in the word "THE" in front of the word "compression" in the title of the video. It's a grove on the harmonic balancer.
The top side timing indicator is on the plastic timing chain cover, it has a V notch in it. Couldn't tell what you had your mark lined up on but looked like you were to far over toward the Power Steering Pump. I recently changed intake gaskets on my 03, S-10 so I just went through all of this. Is there a difference between the 03 and earlier versions maybe?
just done my 2000 model.....holy 💩!! 🤭
@@railrider1622 If you have a book, follow it carefully and forget everything you've done before dead timing for a distributor install it's really pretty easy. It's when your experience knowledge kicks in and says to you, "that can't be right", that it gets complicated.
I've dead timed SBC V-8's for 45 years and then do a 4.3 and suddenly you're in WTF ville. All this effort so that you don't have the option to change your timing and use the same distributor for a V-8 in a V-6. Way to go Chevy. LoL
@@x-man5056 im with ya! 👍 did chain kit while in there, new water pump, talk about cheap made distributor 🤦♂️ maf censor show bad next. Its been a challenge....comp. check doing now.
@@x-man5056 have any idea what compression should be?
@@railrider1622 My book says 140 psi at 160 rpm.
remv all sprk plugs, install the gauge, turn engine over until max pressure achieved.
Document the pressure. do all cylinders.
should be less than 15lbs difference between highest and lowest reading. Any cylinder less than 120 is suspect.
There is more you can check with comp check but too much to document here. Search net or TH-cam for comp check trouble shooting.
Good luck.
u wont turn that engine by alt. unless wore bad or plugs are out!!
nice
should say easy to find compression stroke on 4.3 thanks