Not only is this a good video, your heart is in what you do and you can feel it. What is so interesting is the Tonka toy like simplicity of the design. It ain't so simple with other distributors, and I know that from experience. The oil pump slot would get to me. The explanation of orientation is absolutely the most efficient and intuitive aspect of this video. You did a splendid job.

Great video, my buddy bought a new distributor and put it in hisself and got it out of time, I watched the video whilst re-installing new distributor and worked like a charm......thanks, keep up the good work

If you have a 95 4.3L S-10 or Blazer with a "W" vin (8th digit) with CMFI (central multi-port fuel injection) the timing is adjustable. But first you have to disconnect the Ignition Control system wire (tan with black stripe) located under the passenger side dash first. Usually taped to the harness going to the computer. Then set timing with a light and reconnect wire when done. But these have 2 timing marks that are 90 degrees apart. So rotate till you see the second mark . The first mark will line up with another mark located lower on the timing cover. There is one mark on the timing tab, this is base timing of 0 degrees. Once you reconnect the IC wire the computer will take over and adjust it. A claw foot on an extension is the best way to reach the hold down nut on the distributor. LOVE the videos!!!

This was the best information I could have found. I felt nervous starting this project, but now I feel confident!

I have been doing mechanic work for 40+ years and that is the best video on this topic I have ever seen! I think all the "thumb downs" are because this video was not what they were looking for. Thanks for a great and thorough job on the video!!

the info about the dizzy cap i never knew thank u very much sir hoping to get my yukon back up now with ur video

Thank you for the detailed video. You made my first distributor replacement easy. I had no problems and my truck is running much better now.

Thank you for posting, I've been trying to set the timing on my Express and this is the only clear, concise video on here.

GREAT EXPLANATION! I CAN NOW TACKLE THE WORK MYSELF! THANKS ALOT!

Kudos for your speaking ability and proper terminology. Right on.

Best explanation i have found. Others dont mention the correct oil pump mark below the distributor and is the key.

Thanks for the video. It solved a problem for this 67 year old mechanic. I placed the pointer where the #1 was marked on the cap and it would not start after I rebuilt the engine. Now I know why. I have built many chevy engines in times past with the old distributor but this is my first new type.

Great Video, helped a lot... I had to remove mine for the first time in 2008 to change the intake gaskets for leaking coolant. It took me two attempts to get it seated. TJ

Great video, thank you Sir, you are and gentleman and a scholar.

I graduated from Wyoming Tech some years back.Very good explanation. I just happen to be going in with a vortec and need to install that distributor after replacing crank. Thank you for this vid, saved me a pain, very well explained and put together.

Ive looked all over youtube and ive seen multiple vids on the topic. This is by far the best explained. No shaking the camara, everythings clear. Only thing is would have been cool to see #1 piston being set to top center. Still a great vid. Ill be trying this myself when this new distributor comes in. Thanks, im subscribing.

Hey sir. Appreciate all that you do. Have become a better technician thanks to your teaching videos. Have some learning problems so I have no formal training. You have helped me a long way. That being said. I recently fought a vortec distributor install. As in your scenario. It was out of time when towed in to me. I spent way to much time trying to drop it in. Changed my way of thinking. You know outside the box. Brought it up to number one. Went underneath rotated to next mark on crank pulley in relation to crank sensor. Dropped distributor in at number six. Had wife bump it over until oil pump shaft lined up. Bolted everything up and done. Without your previous teaching methods. My tunnel vision would most likely have continued. Again. Thank you for what you do.

Thank you that last part helps so much I was all what the hell. So I looked it up and found your video thank you again.

Great write up. It helped me organize my thoughts to reassemble the motor. I used a compression gauge to cylinder number one along with chalk marks on harmonic balancer. Aligning the oil pump shaft proved a little tricky for me. I couldn't get the screw driver head into the slot. So I took a piece of 1/2 inch electrical conduit about 8.5" long and dropped it over the shaft. The screw driver could pick it up real easy then.

Dude, that was an awesome video, you anticipated all of my questions including the appearance of the rotor not pointing towards the number one spark plug wire connection.

This is how you do a instructional video!!!! I feel like I am watching the GMC engineer who designed this thing . Thanks.

awesome video matt..i was lost for hours trying to put mine on time until i watched your video...very comprehensive and thourough..thank you very much

This video is very detailed and helpful. my 99 4.3 was missing and backfiring for awhile. I put new plug wires, new cap and rotor. still no help. wasn't until I replaced the whole distributor did my problems go away! I ordered one from EBay for $44. this video made the install a breeze! if your having misfire issues I recommend replacement. take an hour of your time and do this simple repair. thanks so much! BTW, I'm no mechanic but by following this procedure it was simple! watch this a few times and good luck!!

THANKS!! Backyard mechanic that would have struggled with the oil pump shaft without your explicit directions. Bought it and had it in in one hour, 15 minutes which was lining up the shaft. Thanks again!!!

no need to fight with the oil pump shaft. simply drop it in place, hold the distributor down with your hand, or loosely install the hold down bolt. then turn the engine over by hand, and eventually it will fall right into place. even with the shaft not engaged on the oil pump, the drive gear engages the cam gear enough where they rotate in harmony. you won't lose timing. good vid

excellent video my friend, very thorough and spot on for the novice mechanic... Distributor install for dummies... thx

Great technical video, thanks for all of the important details. I was easily able to change my distributor thanks to your instructions.

Thank you for a great video tutorial that helped me install my distributor which ended up helping me get 2 more years of service from my 2004 Chevy Blazer X engine code, I wish I was smart enough to follow you more regularly I believe my truck would be RUNNING WELL instead of being on blocks. I got it running but didn't correct the check engine situation. I didn't know how, cuz I have been a parts changer. I really appreciate your approach to a scientific step by step / logic process, intuitive approach. I'm learning a lot from you, but there is a lot to learn, and a few tools I'll need.

Sir, I was at the brink of desperation until I found your video and gave it "just one last try". Well, I am glad to say that I was able to finally fix this darn issue haha. Thanks a lot! Who would have thought such an old truck had such a distinct way of installing the distributor.

I’ve been watching distributor installs on KZfaq all week. This is by far the best one for the 4.3. Thanks for good info.

update: i installed my dizzy this am and shes running great so far, thanks for the video. I never had to mess with tdc, i just used my old roter with my marks,i will prob eventually get a new roter.

your attention to detail is second to none, and that is needed when working with this unconventional cap/firing orientation. You made it idiot proof! Thank You!

Very good video. What 5.3 motors are you talking about? The Vortec motors that use a distributor are the 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, and 7.4.

Hey Matt. On the vortex v6, there are 13 teeth on the distributor gear. Thus, 360 degrees / 13 teeth = 27.7 degrees per tooth. If you are at TDC, any misalignment should be blatantly obvious if you are off even a single tooth. On my 2000 Vortec v6, I am somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees off on the distributor mark while at TDC (verified absolute top on #1 with horoscope). This is the closest I can get, any other tooth alignment will be ~28 degrees away. Now, maybe I have something else going on (timing chain)? Also, on some vehicles, it is almost impossible to line up a screwdriver head with the slot the oil pump shaft through a blind hole (abyss) in the rear of the engine, underneath hvac lines and wiring. Once you get first distributor engagement with the cam teeth, but before the oil pump shaft is aligned, you can manually turn the crank until the distributor aligns itself with the oil pump shaft - gravity will cause the distributor to set in place, then you can bolt it down.

You're the man brotha. I am super confident I can do this job now. Thank you

Thank you for this video. It saved my butt when I forgot to mark the distributor before it got moved.

I found a way easier method to install. Once you get TDC., take a picture with your phone to see where the top of the gear then just match the distributor up with the picture. Drops right in and lines up on the number 6

the title is misinformation 5.3s dont have distributors only old vortecs 4.3 ,5.0 , 5.7

Excellent Video. Thank you for showing how to perform the oil pump slot alignment to the distributor. Perfect!

I just got done swapping an engine on a 99 express van with the 5.0 vortec and I had to remove the distributor for clearance and I thought I marked everything I had to put it back on, but after watching this video, I think this is why the won't fire up, I get spark but it's not consistent it pauses. I'm going to try to set the engine to TDC for cylinder 1 and install the distributor the way you showed hopefully she fires up thank your videos they are very helpful

Working on a distributer like this (I have a Blazer with a 4.3) is a new experience for me. I'm used to the ones that can be adjusted. Thanks for the tips! It'll be a snap now.

I want to thank you for a very excellent job in explaining everything I wished everyone was as clear at explaining thanks have a great day

This video seriously made so much sense Everything else online jumps around and is confusing. This walked through perfectly

Wow, Im astonished. I have a 4.3 apart for an intake gasket right now, didnt notice a thing about the dist. Watched this video for the hell of it. My only thoughts up to this point was "I need to find my old timing light when I go back together". Thnx, great info!!!

Very awesome video and explanation of this...I was in the "old school" method and tried about 6 times until fully watching this...Thanks a million!!!!!!!!

I just set my distributor and it was backfiring through the exhaust. I completely forgot that fact about the vortec distributor cap. Thank you now I can get it running again.

Ok watched your video ( twice to make sure ) and sure enough the rotor lined up just like you're in your video. started right up !!!! You Exsplained it perfectly ..Ty Godspeed

great video had a mis fire problem changed spider injection new ignition coil and distributor rotor and cap thanks to your videos i fixed the problem myself saved me alot of time and money. thank you.

Very helpful well explained video .thank you I did it wrong the other day,wouldn't turn on but now after watching this I'll get it right

The mounting tabs on mine were broken, so my cap was just sitting on there, Surprises it still ran, I'm doing this tommorrow with a new distributor, thanks for the vid!

Great information that has corrected an old time mechanics error. My things have changed. Thank you for sharing.

Another thing that can cause spark ignition issues is the cap and rotor check the cap for corrosion and arcing. This video did help me a lot the with Alignment of the ignition timing. Thank you!

I did my distributor the other night, it fired up and ran without throwing a code, this is a great resource.

Hey Matt, first off thanks for the video. I found it to be very helpful and had more information then my repair manual. so people know why their engines not starting. If your tdc on the balancer, but your not lining up on the six, your just before it or just after it that is the exhaust stroke, so just turn the crank another 360 degrees and line it up until it's lined up with the "6". 95-97 has no white line so line this up right before the screw hole before the six and your rotor will line up.

Thanks bro you helped me pull through. Can't thank you enough, you are awesome. Everything worked out like a charm. Just like you showed on the video. Thanks for showing me the light. Can't thank you enough bro.

The best description I have seen without question!

Thank's Schrodinger that's the second fix you helped me with. The first was making sense out of my O2 sensor readings.

Thank you so much for posting this video, I was stuck on how to install my distributor I was searching for help on youtube but not body was very clear as you explained so clearly.

Yes it did. Thanks Much. Need to double check but I am pretty sure I got it set right. But to be sure, I'll pull my distributor, reset TDC, realign the distributor marks, and drop it back in. Had to redo the intake gasket on my 1500 with a 4.3 Vortec. Exactly the info I needed. Thanks for taking the time and the vid.

This was very instructional, thanks for the content!

i almost forgot that painted mark and the pumple relationship - thanks 👍

I have been a mechanic for a long time.Some have it some don't.Your the real thing

this is the best vortec distributor install video out there..dead on..thanks man..

Saved me some cash... i was about to call a mechanic for this. Thank you sir.

This dude knows what he`s talking about.I did everything he said.No problems at all.

Great video Matt, I got a do a distributor on a 1998 silverado 5.7 I will do exactly as you shown in the video, thank you matt, cheers from Ontario ca.

great video very informative but you did not show how to set #1 to t.d.c. but once i got that issue resolved this video was a great help thank you. im only pulling the distributor because i had low oil pressure and knew that the oil pump could not be the problem. I found that the old distributor was wearing from rubbing the intake and leaning to one side causing low oil pressure.

very informative video. I was going to take my truck to a shop for this replacement. Not necessary after watching this.

Deric, indeed this is exactly why I like to "start fresh" with installing the distributer at TDC every time. Even if you do mark the distributer's original position accurately AND reinstall it exactly, this assumes the distributer was in correct position to begin with (maybe not as much an issue if it's your own car, but I usually get cars from people who gave up trying on their own and who knows what they've done!!!). I hope this video helped you. I do hate inaccurate repair manuals lol!!!

Thanks so much for the video, worked perfect first shot! Saved me some $, God bless!!!

Thank you for your kind explanation. Its cold here and you have reminded me of all the things I use to know and forgot. God Bless you Michael (central Kansas)

Hard to believe you can find this great information for free. I was so used to the older dist caps I was setting

i spent hours today trying to time a s10 after a head gasket job. untill i watched your video! good job and thank you tons!

Hey man just wanted to say thanks.. This is about the best vid I have seen that is the most correct and with the most info.. Just wanted to say thanks again.. GOOD JOB!!!!

Matt you're an awesome master technician man, thank you so much you're the best! Always enjoy your videos.

thaks for this video. I used it to fix my 1995 gmc safari. that has a problem with the distributor. very helpful.

I have watched this video, a few times, and your explanation, is the best, I have an 01, express conversion van, with a 4.3, and I have to replace, the intake manifold gasket, so I know, I will be watching it again, a few more times, thank for sharing your knowledge, I'm not looking forward to this, but it has to be done, great job, thank you!!!!!!!!

That was by far the best video on this. Thanks

Thanks for the great video! Very clear and to the point. The dimple on distributor gear and mark on distributor shaft was awesome.

that was helpful, i feel a little more confident in doing my intake manifold gasket now. My biggest worry is messing up the timing when i pull the distributor

So glad I found this video. Working on a 99 express. May be an old video but man it’s so well explained. Thank you sire 😊

dude this gives away two days of my book interpretation and includes information they didn't include intentionally

Thank you just did intake manifold gasket on my mother's blazer and didn't set cylinder 1 at tdc....well you know what didn't happen. Thank you thank you thank you!

Thanks man! I was able to fix my truck with your video

I followed the hanes book , which did not give the v notch and harmonics. I had noticed the slot in the bottom which is not mentioned and figured what u showed was what was happening with the time. thanks for the proof...

Hey matt I was just about to make the same remark LYNX STAR made. That is in fact true. When you get the rotor aligned as you mentioned, and most savy tech know already. but yes I usually hold down the distributor while someone bumps over the ignition and as LYnx mentioned it will drop into place.

wow this video is great it will help me with my chevy suburban I will follow step by step first thing in the morning great job.

Great job 👍 very informative video, the best one I've seen....

thank you my friend your video was really helpful especially the last part. .. wish you the best and keep doing this video you are great! greetings from here Puerto Rico. ..

Very well explained easy-to-understand thank you good job videos like that really help

Thank you sir for the excellent video, and special thanks to commentor Gabriel Velazquez who saved my bacon when I was fighting with the oil pump engagement. I could not see into that hole and I fought it for several hours trying to get a screwdriver in there and adjust it by feel, with no success. I then remembered a comment on here about a different approach (Gabriel V's) which I re-read, and using his method (install the distributor in the correct position and then rotate the engine manually until it seats on the oil pump) I had the new distributor correctly seated and fastened down in about 15 minutes. Cranked right up, no codes, runs great.

i thankyou very much,,the factory mark on bottom and little punch mark on gear drive fix me right up,,THANKYOU VERY MUCH!! your a life saver

I greatly appreciate your thorough, orderly instructions. I successfully replaced the distributor in my '05 Silverado 4.3 Vortec with 97K. The symptom was intermittent spark on #4 cylinder - which was challenging to diagnose. What I found was a significantly worn gear on distributor shaft. I used a Delco OEM distributor with all necessary markings. Thank you Matt !!!!!

...my number 1 way off. Thanks to this video it was a breeze. This was my first time working on something this new. Just wanted to say thanks and keep up the good work. Your correct terminology really makes it easier.

I have a 2000 Blazer 4.3L I had to to replace the intake gasket 3 years ago. I wasn't that comfortable tackling this job at home but my mechanic neighbour needed cash and said he would do it. We had the intake off so we decided to replace the original rocker cover gaskets and OEM distributor where the insert moulded screw knuckles had cracked the distributor base plate and we opted for the after market distributor with a solid metal base plate to avoid future failure. My neighbour and I messed with that distributor for a few hours reverting to TDC alignment and could not get rid of a code it was setting. We finally recruited another neighbour who worked at the local GM dealer. He got the code cleared with my Tech2 stating we had to initialize the new distributor / sensor. I guess in your video this was not applicable if you were using the same distributor but I thought it may be a helpful hint if someone was replacing their distributor. BTW: your videos are awesome.

thanks, that's exactly what I needed, I saw the mark but I went to number one on the top.

thanks for a great video. Youe speaking is clear and understandable .Excellent!

Best chevy distributor install video, thanks!

Ii know u got me out of my fear afew years ago when i replaced head gaskets on my 2000 chevy blazer 4.3 scared to death id never get it right myself i give u a vary vary big thums way up and bless u and a happy 2020 thanksgiving

My friend You are the best . Excellent I mean Excellent video, an instructions of how to properly install a distributor.