miss on 99 5.7l no code, what is cam sensor setting?

[99blueburb]

I have a miss on 5.7L stock, no codes, everything looked like it OK on the scanner, no miss fores, codes, etc. BUT, the cam showed -14* is this correct? the ignition advance shoes 23-27, and it responds. Only missed up part throttle & light load (cruising) if I run it WOT, it seems to run fine.

[Jeremy-WI]

Definitely have the distributor gear checked if you haven't messed with the distributor or had the intake manifold worked on. The cam sensor reading you are getting must be the cam retard(or camshaft offset) which is the difference the PCM sees between the crankshaft sensor and the camshaft sensor. I noticed this on my truck after having the intake manifold gaskets replaced and when I checked the cam retard on the scanner it was -11 and the misfire always occurred at light throttle cruise when the pcm was trying to get the most spark advance 36 degrees and more. There have been numerous cases of worn distributor gears causing this same thing and the PCM doesn't seem to compensate and lower timing, eventually it may trigger a bank 1 and 2 rich code but a lot of times you will never see the P1345 that indicates a distributor timing problem. The spec is 0 degrees +/- 2 degrees for the cam retard(crankshaft sensor/camshaft sensor offset) and usually you have to get about 15 degrees out for a P1345 to code, but at 8 degrees you are sure to have some problems

[99blueburb]

I moved the distributor tonight to get 0* cam sensor timing. The miss is gone, but it seems like its down a little on power. The distributor was never out or moved. I've owned the suburban for 2 yrs and only put 9k miles on it. I unplugged the cam sensor and it showed -45*. Do you recomend to replace the distributor? At least is does not appear to be a valve sticking or head/valve related.

Thanks,
Tom

[Jeremy-WI]

I wouldn't replace the distributor, just check the gear and if the gear looks worn(some get real bad, almost razor sharp) just replace the gear which should be about $22