Distributor Shims

[Wardrivr]

I'm doing an intake manifold gasket on a completely stock '97 5.7L w/90k mi. I found the distributor gear is really worn. It's worn near the top of the gear, but not at the bottom so I'm thinking it's set down too deep. Anyone know who stocks or can order shims? Also, the gear is worn heavier on one side. The least worn tooth is 180 deg from the worst worn tooth. Could this be caused by the dist being too far down? Or maybe cam runout? I saw an old thread where a worn cam gear can cause missing under light loads. That's what my truck was doing. It would be fine w/WOT. Can anyone confirm this?

[wafrederick]

The vortec 350s do have problems with worn out distibitor gears,do not shim and get a new distribitor gear.Most auto parts stores stock it and you do not have to go to the dealer.Did you mark the distribitor?The timing is not adjustable,you set the distribitor with a scan tool and not with a timing light.The cam sensor is inside the distribitor.The spec is 0 degrees and look for cam sensor retard.Just start it up for a second and shut it off,then check it.

[Wardrivr]

Thanks wafrederick. I just took another look at the gear and it's really pretty even. I was planning on going with the AC Delco gear from oreilly.? No, I didn't mark the dist. I just planned on using the procedure in Chiltons for a disturbed engine.