Help with distributor 95 4.3L

[msfan324]

I had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket and as a result removed the distributor. I have a 95 blazer with 4.3L Vortex and a flat top distributor. I know this is a commonly asked question based on the numerous posts I have tried to use as help. I have tried 5 or 6 times and still can't get it to start. After getting to TDC for cylinder #1 on the compression stroke sometimes, I can move the oil pump shaft with the distributor if I pull it up just enough. With everything lined up with the printed #6 still won't start.

As I am somewhat of a novice what should happen if it is installed incorrectly? I turn the ignition and the battery gauge dips and it just and tries to start but nothing, is this typical or is there something else going wrong at the same time.

Another question is that there seems to be conflicting information about how to find TDC, do I line up the first mark on the harmonic balancer or the second mark with the notch?

If the distributor was put in correctly would one expect the engine to start with the upper plenum still removed or does everything need to be put back together for it to start?

Any help is greatly appreciated

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by msfan324

I had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket and as a result removed the distributor. I have a 95 blazer with 4.3L Vortex and a flat top distributor. I know this is a commonly asked question based on the numerous posts I have tried to use as help. I have tried 5 or 6 times and still can't get it to start. After getting to TDC for cylinder #1 on the compression stroke sometimes, I can move the oil pump shaft with the distributor if I pull it up just enough. With everything lined up with the printed #6 still won't start.

As I am somewhat of a novice what should happen if it is installed incorrectly? I turn the ignition and the battery gauge dips and it just and tries to start but nothing, is this typical or is there something else going wrong at the same time.

Another question is that there seems to be conflicting information about how to find TDC, do I line up the first mark on the harmonic balancer or the second mark with the notch?

If the distributor was put in correctly would one expect the engine to start with the upper plenum still removed or does everything need to be put back together for it to start?

Any help is greatly appreciated

There is two TDC"s
One compression and one exhaust.

Pull no 1 spark plug and crank engine and stick finger over hole and feel for compression.

When you first feel compression.
Hand turn engine to TDC no 1 pistion.

Pastic straw in spark plug hole will feel TDC.

Or if you want to plull valve cover and check true valve timing.
Your opsite firing cylinder is no 4 on a V6.

The opsite firing cylinder from No 1 cylinder will have a valve rock on 1 TDC compression.

Like one rocker closing and one opening.

Set dist as shown in link.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/ga...hp?photo=51302

Let us know how it goes.

[msfan324]

Thanks for the quick reply MT.

So I am able to find TDC on the compression stroke and then can line the distributor up as shown in the picture but it still won't start.

I have tried lining up TDC on the compression stroke using both the first and second mark on the harmonic balancer, which one is correct? Some places state the first and others state the second. (I know I could pull the valve cover as you suggested but I am trying to avoid it if I can).

Does the upper plenum and all other connections need to be reassembled in order to start or will the engine start with it still removed?

Side question: If I replaced the lower intake manifold gasket and it is still leaking does this mean I didn't install it correctly or could something else be causing the leak?

Thanks

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by msfan324

Thanks for the quick reply MT.

So I am able to find TDC on the compression stroke and then can line the distributor up as shown in the picture but it still won't start.

I have tried lining up TDC on the compression stroke using both the first and second mark on the harmonic balancer, which one is correct? Some places state the first and others state the second. (I know I could pull the valve cover as you suggested but I am trying to avoid it if I can).

Does the upper plenum and all other connections need to be reassembled in order to start or will the engine start with it still removed?

Side question: If I replaced the lower intake manifold gasket and it is still leaking does this mean I didn't install it correctly or could something else be causing the leak?

Thanks

You have to us the mark that you feel tdc compression stroke on.
or just forget the mark and pull valve covers and check it with valve timing.

For the true TDC compression you will have to feel pistion move to TDC on compression stroke, or watch for valve rock on no 4 cylinder.

Do not even try to start with out it all together.

Yes you have to have it all together and everything pluged in and hooked up before trying to start it.

After you find TDC compression set dist rotor to no 6 on dist base.

If you have proper fuel pressure and good spark to all plugs it should start and run.

On the still leaking check it for still leaking first before you try to break it.

[msfan324]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

You have to us the mark that you feel tdc compression stroke on.
or just forget the mark and pull valve covers and check it with valve timing.

For the true TDC compression you will have to feel pistion move to TDC on compression stroke, or watch for valve rock on no 4 cylinder.

Do not even try to start with out it all together.

Yes you have to have it all together and everything pluged in and hooked up before trying to start it.

After you find TDC compression set dist rotor to no 6 on dist base.

If you have proper fuel pressure and good spark to all plugs it should start and run.

On the still leaking check it for still leaking first before you try to break it.

I reassembled everything and still no luck on getting it started. There is one connector that I can't seem to find where it should plug into and I really hope this isn't what is preventing me from getting started.

The connector looks identical to the IAT sensor plug but I can't seem to find anywhere it would potentially plug into.

UPDATE: the unknown plug is for the coolant temperature sensor down hidden on the front of the engine.

[Leeann94astro]

While you have the air intake off, clean your throttle plate and the bore. It looks a bit dirty...

[msfan324]

Originally Posted by Leeann94astro

While you have the air intake off, clean your throttle plate and the bore. It looks a bit dirty...

What is the best method for cleaning it?

[Leeann94astro]

Get some sensor-safe cleaner and use a toothbrush and a lint-free cloth to wipe it out.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by msfan324

I reassembled everything and still no luck on getting it started. There is one connector that I can't seem to find where it should plug into and I really hope this isn't what is preventing me from getting started.

The connector looks identical to the IAT sensor plug but I can't seem to find anywhere it would potentially plug into.

There is two there that should be plugged in.

One with pointer looks like Air intake sensor on air intake hose.

Always install air intake hose before starting and plugin all sensors.

Are you getting good spark to plugs and good fuel pressure?
Good Luck

[msfan324]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

There is two there that should be plugged in.

One with pointer looks like Air intake sensor on air intake hose.

Always install air intake hose before starting and plugin all sensors.

Are you getting good spark to plugs and good fuel pressure?
Good Luck

So if the one I am pointing to is the air intake sensor what is the one to the bottom right of it for then? If I plug either one into the air intake sensor I can't find a location for the other. Kind of baffled buy it.

I need to work on figuring out if I have good spark and good fuel pressure cause I am pretty confident TDC is correct but it still wont fire up.

[MT-2500]

Yes

[msfan324]

I tested with a multimeter and I know I have power at the coil and at the coil wire before plugging into the distributor. When testing for actual spark at the plugs I pulled both cylinder #1 and cylinder #4 and there was no spark when trying to crank the engine. Does this mean I should invest in a new cap and rotor to fix the problem?

Without getting a fuel pressure gauge its anyones guess if thats good but I don't see how it could have changed when it worked before I replaced the gaskets. When I have the upper plenum off and I hand crank the engine to find TDC I can smell fuel if thats worth anything. In addition while cranking the engine I could smell gas coming from the cylinders I removed the plugs from.

For the mystery plug if one is the air sensor then what could the other one be for? One is marked PED 68 and the other is marked PED 16* where as the one that plugs into the EGR valve is marked PED 2.

[MT-2500]

For testing for spark if no spark to spark plugs check foor spark at coil plug wire tower.

Make sure the crank sensor wiring and plugin is good and pluged in good.

If crank sensor and coil and PCM and wiring and everything pluged in good is good the coil should spark at coil wire tower.

[msfan324]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

For testing for spark if no spark to spark plugs check foor spark at coil plug wire tower.

Make sure the crank sensor wiring and plugin is good and pluged in good.

If crank sensor and coil and PCM and wiring and everything pluged in good is good the coil should spark at coil wire tower.

MT,

I am unclear on what you mean by the coil plug wire tower, could you please explain? The crank sensor is what plugs into the distributor itself, correct? What does PCM stand for? I should mention the points inside the cap are very dark and corroded so it probably is a good idea to replace it regardless.

[MT-2500]

Coil tower is where the coil wire comes out of it.

Crank sensor on flat top dist is down on front of engine beside front crak damper.