Distributor removal question

[89muscletruck]

I am removing my intake mainfold on my 94 GMC so I can replace the seals. My Haynes manual tells me that before I remove the distributor, I need to position the engine to Top Dead Centre for the #1 cylinder. My question is, is it nessecary to do this when nothing inside the engine is going to be messed with?
A buddy helped me do this on my 91 four years back but I cannot rememeber if we bothered to place the engine at TDC. I've never messed with a distributor by myself before, and I'm despriately afraid to screw up my engine.

[arkracing]

mark the position of the distributor on the firewall (just put a mark on the body of the dizzy and a mark on the firewall). Then mark where the rotor is in relation to the dizzy body. Line them all back up when you are done and you should be fine.

Just don't turn the motor over while the dizzy is out.

[89muscletruck]

Originally Posted by arkracing

Just don't turn the motor over while the dizzy is out.

OK so as long as I don't move the engine at all I will be fine?

[tommys69/454]

you should always note the position of the rotor before you pull it out and the where it is positioned while pulling it out. this is made easier if you can make chalk marks on the firewall . do not turn the motor over or you will rotating it to tdc on the compression stroke on one of the cylinders anyways. i like to use chalk marks on the firewall. now with digital cameras I also take a lot of pictures and make printed notes

[89muscletruck]

thanks for the help

[arkracing]

Originally Posted by 89muscletruck

OK so as long as I don't move the engine at all I will be fine?

Yeh. Make sure you make your marks so you know where to put it back.

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by tommys69/454

... now with digital cameras I also take a lot of pictures and make printed notes

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so it has been said. Tommy is right, though. Take pics with the cap off and the rotor still in place before you loosen the distributor. A mark on the firewall at that time, would also be helpful to you when you put it all back together.

[68C15]

my personal experience;
I used to mark the rotor position and re-stab the dizzy after intake work is done. but setting the CMP retard gets to be a PITA.
now I hand crank the engine until the rotor points to the "8" mark on the housing prior to removal. since I have done this I have yet to off.
follow the instructions, you will be happier.

[89muscletruck]

Well the advice that you guys gave me, coupled with the instructions in my Haynes manual seemed to have pulled it off. The dizzy went back in without a problem and the truck runs like a charm!
Thanks for the help!

[ChevLoRay]

Ahhh, another satisfied customer!

[89muscletruck]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Ahhh, another satisfied customer!

I was that a long time ago.
This site is a gold mine of advise and inspiration!