1998 Chevy Tahoe Engine Timing

GREENONE

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
128,000 MILES

I replaced the rotor & cap on the tahoe, and overtightened one of the distributor cap screws. Overtightening the screw broke out the threaded hole in the plastic base. I would like to replace the distributor, but the only information I get about setting the timing, it that it is not adjustable. How do I really set the timing?

6 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If you haven't taking the distributor out mark the position of the rotor on the cap and also make a mark on the distributor base and intake manifold before you remove it-this is your reference point.

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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 AT 2:59 PM

GREENONE

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5 POSTS

I was planning to toss the original all plastic distributor in the garbage can, and the new distributor will not have marks on it. I can guess where the marks should be on the new all metal distributor, but that seems silly. Is there a better way to check timing?

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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 AT 3:10 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If you want to go the hard way you have to put piston no.1 on its compression stroke/TDC and line the crank pulley to TDC/0 then install the distributor making sure the rotor points to the no.1 cap tower.

If your talking about ignition timing the computer takes care of that -non adjustable. If its the valve timing you have to do above.

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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 AT 3:16 PM

GREENONE

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Okay, I'll give it a try with just the marks. Do you know how many degrees off TDC the distributor rotor can be and still allow the computer to compensate for ignition timing?

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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 AT 3:47 PM

GREENONE

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5 POSTS

Engine is still in one piece. Much appreciated rasmataz. Now I can get back to solving the original problem, which is that I get a rough idle when I'm on the brake pedal and shifted into drive at a stop sign. The engine seems to run smoothly at all other conditions. I do get a P0102 MAF, which I have cleaned. I also get a P0304 misfire but I have now replaced the spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, distributor, #4 plug again, #4 wire again, used throttle body cleaner on the throttle body and the EGR valve. I'm beginning to think I have an injector problem, or a spider problem, or maybe a vacuum leak? Any ideas?