timing problems 98 vortex

few questions
first off i change my intake gasket on this truck 98 chevy 4x4 350 engine and this were the problem started i keep getting the code p1345 i have a haynes book and it said crankshaft or camshaft sensors but i been told that if the timing is off that code will come up. i talk to gm tech and said there is v8 marker on the distribitor housing. that were the rotor should be pointing at TDC which it is. the truck run fine when warm but when it's cold after at least 12 hours with out running it spits and pops out the exhaust only after flooring it it been running for at least 45 minutes does it go away and it seems to have a little power since this has happened does the timing have to be set with a scanning tool

thanks for the help in advance

If you did not put the distributer back in exactly the way it cam out your timing most likely is off. I would go have it checked.

It sounds like its way off. The rotor should point at the V 8 marker when the vehicle is at TDC on the compression stroke of cylinder #1(closest to radiator on driver's side). A scan tool is usually needed to get it perfect- the cam retard value should be 0 degrees +/- 2 degrees

I had the exact same thing happen. 1998 K1500 I changed out the manifold gaskets (upper and lower), after I put it all back toghther set distributer , I fired it up and got a CES light, had it scanned, and P1345 came up, but it ran fine after 3 driving cycles, the DTC is camshaft to crankshaft correlatioin problem. I re-set distribtor by hand turning the engine to TDC #1 and set the dist. to rotor marks specified in repair book. It was off by 1 tooth too much clockwise. but the VCM learned to adapt to the 42 degree difference somehow. The VCM now had to re-learn the correct way again. the engine performance didn't seem to degrade but the P1345 code never went away, that was about 2 years ago, disconnecting battery (several times, for more that 12 hours) the CES will not clear. It is now to the point ,I want to trash can this truck and get another one.because as of 8/31 my reg. expired and a CES illuminated is a instant fail for emmissions test. The dealer has had my truck twice to try to fix problem, they either can't or they won't. But they charge me there $85 hr. troubleshooting charge regaurdless. 2nd time a 4 hr. $380 bill for fixing notta.By the way I have a whole 70,000 miles on truck.

I had the exact same thing happen. 1998 K1500 I changed out the manifold gaskets (upper and lower), after I put it all back toghther set distributer , I fired it up and got a CES light, had it scanned, and P1345 came up, but it ran fine after 3 driving cycles, the DTC is camshaft to crankshaft correlatioin problem. I re-set distribtor by hand turning the engine to TDC #1 and set the dist. to rotor marks specified in repair book. It was off by 1 tooth too much clockwise. but the VCM learned to adapt to the 42 degree difference somehow. The VCM now had to re-learn the correct way again. the engine performance didn't seem to degrade but the P1345 code never went away, that was about 2 years ago, disconnecting battery (several times, for more that 12 hours) the CES will not clear. It is now to the point ,I want to trash can this truck and get another one.because as of 8/31 my reg. expired and a CES illuminated is a instant fail for emmissions test. The dealer has had my truck twice to try to fix problem, they either can't or they won't. But they charge me there $85 hr. troubleshooting charge regaurdless. 2nd time a 4 hr. $380 bill for fixing notta.By the way I have a whole 70,000 miles on truck.

To reset the camshaft position offset you will need a bi-directional scan tool..the spec is 0 degrees at 1200 rpm

gm merlin

when the scanning tool is hooked up is changing something in the computer or do you have to slightly move the dist. although they say it's not adjustable and am i putting the dist in the right spot

again thanks

If the cam retard or camshaft offset is negative you need to turn the distributor counterclockwise, if its positive you turn it clockwise. I believe the manuals say the timing is not adjustable and on the V6 you can't turn the distributor but the V8 you can

thanks for the help everyone i found out the problem my dist. shaft had a slight bend and it was binding a little so the rotor was on a angle and for 175 .00 for the dist. it's fixed now