how do i set timing/ install distributor on 97 350 vortec?

assuming it's totally out of time, what spep by step actions do i take to restore proper operation?

if you took the distributer out the you might have it out. you will need to get a mirror and a light--look on the bottom of the dist. at the intake there should be a white mark on the dist. and intake, it will be at the back-thats why you need a mirror-if the marks are aligned--then it might be another problem

you would need to set the number one cylinder to top dead center. look at your distrubtor with the cap off put the rotor to the number six and eye ball the oil pump shalt it the same position... ( u need a long screw drive to turn the oil pump shaft) when u slide the disbutor in its slot you will notice the rotor is turning toward cylinder 1 if it doesnt slide in all the way turn the oil pump shaft just a hair intill the distrubtor is fully seated!

i have an 85 gmc that has lost all fire to spark plugs. i have put in a new rotor, coil distr cap and even tried another distributor. it has 12v going into distributor and around 9v while cranking. any help is great. thanks in advance

assuming it's totally out of time, what spep by step actions do i take to restore proper operation?
The only real way to set the timing on a 97 is with a scanner. It needs to be 0 degrees plus or minus 2 degrees. You can get it close by bringing the number one cylinder to top dead center on the compression stroke, place a mark on the dist. housing where the number one terminal is on the cap, remove the cap and turn the distributor until it lines up with the mark. It will be close and may or may not be within the specs. The only way to know for sure is with a diagnostic scanner.

i have an 85 gmc that has lost all fire to spark plugs. i have put in a new rotor, coil distr cap and even tried another distributor. it has 12v going into distributor and around 9v while cranking. any help is great. thanks in advance

I bet you it's the solid state module inside the HEI distributor. It leaves you completely dead when goes out, $10 part.

Don't forget to disconnect the ECM signal wire before you do the distributor base timing. (when you loosen the nut and turn the entire distributor by hand) It turns the timing advance and retard along with the knock sensor off and then resets when you plug it back in. If you don't do that it will be set at the right timing, but the computer will think its still at its old spot and advance and retard right back to the old setting.

Forgot about the wire. On most Chevy SB's it's near the firewall on the passenger side. should be a tanish wire with a white trace on it. It leads to a small black box that you should be able to find pretty easy, but it is kinda hidden on the lower side of the block.

Forgot about the wire. On most Chevy SB's it's near the firewall on the passenger side. should be a tanish wire with a white trace on it. It leads to a small black box that you should be able to find pretty easy, but it is kinda hidden on the lower side of the block.

The wire you are refering to is only on the pre vortecs as far as I know.There is no wire to disconnect that I know of on the 96 and up trucks. I didn't on mine when I did it, I just plugged the scanner in and set it to zero.