may sound like a dumb question

[tacmale]

I have a 93 s-10 blazer 4.3 with TBI. Was not getting a strong spark so i had the Ignition components tested. Coil, Ignition control module, both checked out Ok.

Replaced cap, plugs, rotor, and wires still had a weak and erratic spark. No codes showed up on the OBD, so i thought about it for a bit and decided to test the coil pick-up. Even though none of the diagnostics i found mentioned this. It tested bad pulled the distributor and replaced the pick up coil, made sure the timing was set to TDC on number 1 cylinder, but now I cannot get my distributor to seat. Have tried everything to get the oil pump shaft to line up. From using a screwdriver, to turning the motor over by hand, to bumping it with the starter. I just cannot get the Distributor to seat.

My question is, there enough play in the oil pump shaft so that the vehicle would have to be sitting level. It is sitting on a bit of an incline right now. I have 210,000 on the engine.

Also the previous owner either lost or just left out the rubber seal around the Ignition control module so moisture got inside which is what caused the failure. What can i use to replace this with, as auto parts stores do not seem to have the part.

[Airjer_]

So you turned the motor over with the distributor out before you lined up the timing marks?

[tacmale]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

So you turned the motor over with the distributor out before you lined up the timing marks?

no the timing marks are there it just will not drop onto the oil pump shaft never had this happen before.

I have one more idea I am going to try and see if it works.

[tacmale]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

So you turned the motor over with the distributor out before you lined up the timing marks?

no the timing marks are there it just will not drop onto the oil pump shaft never had this happen before.

I have one more idea I am going to try and see if it works.

I didn't explain it well I placed the distributor, without turning over the motor hit my timing marks dead on but the distributor did not seat. Realizing teh oil pump shaft could have gotten bumped a bit when taking it out. I placed a socket on the vibration damper and turned it a small amount each way. Still did not seat. AT this time i was still one 1 TDC my timing marks on the damper were at 0. I pulled the Distributor after everything was lined back up and looked at the oil pump shaft it was off just a bit so i used a long screwdriver to line it up with my timing marks.

Once again set the distributor and hit my marks dead on, still wouldn't seat. With the Distributor still in place and the timing marks lined up I remembered in the past I had just bumped the engine over with the key and it seated. Tried that... no go won't seat.

Now totally frustrated i decided to go from scratch. Pulled the Dist. Removed the Valve cover and rotated the engine by hand until both the intake and exhaust valves were closed and felt compression on the #1 cylinder. timing mark on damper lined up perfect reset the Distributor hit my marks again but it still will not seat.

the last thing I just tried was wetting the bottom of the gear with a bit of oil then placed a small amount of flour on the bottom just enough to dust it.

Made sure I was at TDC and reset the distributor, hit my timing mark again. Pulled the distributor and i could see where the shaft and dist. were lining up perfect the groove was off by about 1/8 of in. Noted which way it had to go cleaned off gear, reinstalled, moved motor by hand in the right direction and still no seat has me totally baffled.

[MagicRat]

you do know that the distributor gear must mesh with the helical gear on the camshaft, right? This means that, in the last inch of travel when you insert the distributor, you might get a bit of resistence as the gears mesh..... and also, the rotor will turn a bit as you slide it on.

If it really is the oil pump shaft, look down the dist shaft bore into the engine. The oil pump shaft should be centered in the middle of the hole, as you look down. If it is leaning to one side, jack up the car a bit and move the shaft until its centered.

If the shaft is centered, just rotate it a bit with a screwdriver and try again, until you get it. The Chevy 'slot' type drive is much more difficult to center than the Ford style of flat-sided pump drives.

[Airjer_]

[tacmale]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

you do know that the distributor gear must mesh with the helical gear on the camshaft, right? This means that, in the last inch of travel when you insert the distributor, you might get a bit of resistence as the gears mesh..... and also, the rotor will turn a bit as you slide it on.

If it really is the oil pump shaft, look down the dist shaft bore into the engine. The oil pump shaft should be centered in the middle of the hole, as you look down. If it is leaning to one side, jack up the car a bit and move the shaft until its centered.

If the shaft is centered, just rotate it a bit with a screwdriver and try again, until you get it. The Chevy 'slot' type drive is much more difficult to center than the Ford style of flat-sided pump drives.

Got it pulled one of the dumbest mistakes I have ever made working on an engine. I was short on time so i was trying to hurry and lo and behold I replaced the distributor gear on upside down. Took it off turned it around and bam first shot she seated perfectly.

Ok everyone can have a good laugh at my expense.LOL Just shows it pays not to rush a job.

[Airjer_]

I would have never of thought of even asking that!