Distributor Replacement 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L

Notice: There are two procedures available to install the distributor.

1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
2. Remove the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.
3. Remove the spark plug wires from the distributor cap. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the base of the distributor.



5. Remove the two screws that hold the distributor cap to the housing.
6. Discard the screws.
7. Remove the distributor cap from the housing.



8. Use a grease pencil in order to note the position of the rotor in relation to the distributor housing (1).
9. Mark the distributor housing and the intake manifold with a grease pencil.



10. Remove the mounting clamp hold down bolt.
11. Remove the distributor.



12. As the distributor is being removed from the engine, watch the rotor move in a counter-clockwise direction about 42 degrees.

This will appear as slightly more than one clock position.

13. Note the position of the rotor segment.

13.1.

Place a second mark on the base of the distributor.

This will aid in achieving proper rotor alignment during the distributor installation.

13.2.

The second mark on the distributor housing is identified in the graphic as number 2.

1. If installing a new distributor assembly, place two marks on the new distributor housing in the same location as the two marks on the original housing.
2. Remove the new distributor cap, if necessary.
3. Align the rotor with mark made at location 2.



4. Guide the distributor into the engine.
5. Align the hole in the distributor hold-down base over the mounting hole in the intake manifold.



6. As the distributor is being installed, observe the rotor moving in a clockwise direction about 42 degrees.
7. Once the distributor is completely seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the mark on the distributor base in location number 1.

•	If the rotor segment is not aligned with the number 1 mark, the driven gear teeth and the camshaft have meshed one or more teeth out of alignment.

•	In order to correct this condition, remove the distributor and reinstall it.





Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

8. Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).




9. Install the distributor cap.
10. Install two NEW distributor cap screws.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2.4 N·m (21 lb in).

11. Connect the electrical connector to the distributor.
12. Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.



13. Install the ignition coil wire.

The wire must not touch anything like the dip stick, rubbing will make a ground/short after time of use.




14. Connect a scan tool.
15. For 5.0/5.7L engines monitor the Camshaft Retard Offset value. Refer to Camshaft Retard Offset Adjustment in Engine Controls 5.0/5.7L.
16. For 4.3L engine check for DTCs.

Important: If the Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

17. Refer to Installation Procedure 2 if Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor.
18. Install the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.

Important: Rotate the number 1 cylinder to Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke. The engine front cover has 2 alignment tabs and the crankshaft balancer has 2 alignment marks (spaced 90 degrees apart) which are used for positioning number 1 piston at top dead center (TDC). With the piston on the compression stroke and at top dead center, the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (1) must align with the engine front cover tab (2) and the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (4) must align with the engine front cover tab (3).

1. Rotate the crankshaft balancer clockwise until the alignment marks on the crankshaft balancer are aligned with the tabs on the engine front cover and the number 1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke.



2. Align white paint mark on the bottom stem of the distributor, and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear (3).

Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, will cause a no-start condition.

3. With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned as shown for a V6 engine (1) or V8 engine (2).

•	The alignment will not be exact.

•	If the driven gear is installed incorrectly, the dimple will be approximately 180 degrees opposite of the rotor segment when it is installed in the distributor.




4. Using a long screw driver, align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
5. Guide the distributor into the engine.

Ensure that the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine.




6. Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base.

•	This pointer may have a 6 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 cylinder engine or a 8 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 8 cylinder engine.

•	If the rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the pointer, the gear mesh between the distributor and the camshaft may be off a tooth or more.

•	If this is the case, repeat the procedure again in order to achieve proper alignment.





Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

7. Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).




8. Install the distributor cap.
9. Install two NEW distributor cap screws.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2.4 N·m (21 lb in).

10. Connect the electrical connector to the distributor.
11. Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement in Engine Electrical.



12. Install the ignition coil wire.

The wire must not touch anything like the dip stick, rubbing will make a ground/short after time of use.




13. Connect a scan tool.
14. For 5.0/5.7L monitor the Camshaft Retard Offset value. Refer to Camshaft Retard Offset Adjustment in Engine Controls 5.0/5.7L.
15. For 4.3L check for DTCs.

Important: If the Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

16. Repeat Installation Procedure 2 if Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor.
17. Install the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.

Distributor Replacement 7.4L

Notice: There are two procedures available to install the distributor.

1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
2. Remove the engine cover, if equipped.



3. Remove the air cleaner assembly.



4. Remove the ignition coil. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil Module Replacement in Engine Electrical.
5. Remove the spark plug wires from the distributor cap.

•	Twist each spark plug 1/2 turn.

•	Pull only on the boot in order to remove the wire from the distributor cap.

6. Remove the electrical connector from the base of the distributor.



7. Remove the two screws that hold the distributor cap to the housing.
8. Discard the screws.
9. Remove the distributor cap from the housing.



10. Use a grease pencil in order to note the position of the rotor in relation to the distributor housing (1).
11. Mark the distributor housing and the intake manifold with a grease pencil.



12. Remove the mounting clamp hold down bolt.
13. Remove the distributor.



14. As the distributor is being removed from the engine, watch the rotor move in a counter-clockwise direction about 42 degrees.

This will appear as slightly more than one clock position.

15. Note the position of the rotor segment.

15.1.

Place a second mark on the base of the distributor.

This will aid in achieving proper rotor alignment during the distributor installation.

15.2.

The second mark on the distributor housing is identified in the graphic as number 2.

1. If installing a new distributor assembly, place two marks on the new distributor housing in the same location as the two marks on the original housing.
2. Remove the new distributor cap, if necessary.
3. Align the rotor with mark made at location 2.



4. Guide the distributor into the engine.
5. Align the hole in the distributor hold-down base over the mounting hole in the intake manifold.



6. As the distributor is being installed, observe the rotor moving in a clockwise direction about 42 degrees.
7. Once the distributor is completely seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the mark on the distributor base in location number 1.

•	If the rotor segment is not aligned with the number 1 mark, the driven gear teeth and the camshaft have meshed one or more teeth out of alignment.

•	In order to correct this condition, remove the distributor and reinstall it.





Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

8. Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).




9. Install the distributor cap.
10. Install two NEW distributor cap screws.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2.4 N·m (21 lb in).

11. Install the electrical connector to the distributor.
12. Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap.



13. Install the ignition coil.

Refer to Ignition Coil and ICM Replacement.




14. Install the air cleaner assembly.



15. For 7.4L engines, connect a scan tool.
16. Monitor the Camshaft Retard Offset value. Refer to Camshaft Retard Offset Adjustment in Engine Controls 7.4L.

Important: If the Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

17. Refer to Installation Procedure 2 if Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor.
18. Install the engine cover, if equipped.

1. Rotate the number 1 cylinder to Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.

Notice: The ignition system distributor driven gear and rotor may be installed in multiple positions. In order to avoid mistakes, mark the distributor on the following components in order to ensure the same mounting position upon reassembly:

•	The distributor driven gear

•	The distributor shaft

•	The rotor holes

Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, will cause a no-start condition. Premature engine wear or damage may result.
2. Align white paint mark on the bottom stem of the distributor, and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear (3).
3. With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned as shown for a V6 engine (1) or V8 engine (2).

•	The alignment will not be exact.

•	If the driven gear is installed incorrectly, the dimple will be approximately 180 degrees opposite of the rotor segment when it is installed in the distributor.




4. Using a long screw driver, align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
5. Guide the distributor into the engine.

Ensure that the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine.




6. Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base.

•	This pointer may have a 6 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 cylinder engine or a 8 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 8 cylinder engine.

•	If the rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the pointer, the gear mesh between the distributor and the camshaft may be off a tooth or more.

•	If this is the case, repeat the procedure again in order to achieve proper alignment.





Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

7. Install the distributor mounting clamp and bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).




8. Install the distributor cap.
9. Install two NEW distributor cap screws.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2.4 N·m (21 lb in).

10. Install the electrical connector to the distributor.
11. Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap.



12. Install the ignition coil. Refer to Ignition Coil and Ignition Coil Module Replacement in Engine Electrical.



13. Install the air cleaner assembly.



14. For 7.4L engines, connect a scan tool.

Important: If the Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

15. Monitor the Camshaft Retard Offset value. Refer to Engine Controls Camshaft Retard Offset Adjustment.
16. Repeat Installation Procedure 2 if Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor.
17. Install the engine cover, if equipped.