1986-1998 4.3 GM V6 Distributor Replacement

Thanks for the video helped me revive my s10

Hey Fred475, if you didn't find the brown wire yet, mine was behind and below the glove box under a little bit of the carpet, Not under the hood.
It has a black clip that is flat and 1" long.
You don't have to take the glove box out.

THIS IS THE EASIEST way to nail a reinstall of a new distributor the 1st. time!
Never attempted it before.
Mark everything and it's a 2 hour job, maybe less for the 1st time!
Thanks Zippo!!! It seems like an intimidating job before you do it but it's not!
I followed your directions to a T and my 1994 W/T Long bed with the little 4.3(Feels like a 350 on the low end if you can believe it!).
Guys/Gals, Change your distributors!
I have a junky timing light so I'm not absoulty sure it's dead on 0 deg timing.
If you have a lot of miles on your ol' boy. I'm at 293K miles just do it.

You'll get more MPG and I guarantee it with a good replacement dist.
I made the mistake of first buying one from the A website and it was junk.
Walked to a local Advance store and their premium was about $140 after tax and "discount". DO IT!!!
Thanks again!

Only question is where do you disconnect the brown wire.

Oh man, I think your video just helped me save my truck, I've changed almost all of my all my ignition parts, but the distributor has not been changed yet, it looks just like the old one you pulled out, thank you for the info 👍✌️👌

I locked myself out of my truck recently and only had my hood up, so I had to remove my distributor cables to shut it off. I don't remember the correct cable connection, will this help video help me? Im no mechanic and don't want to screw any up.

How I replace them is I put the engine where the rotor button is pointed at the number 1 cylinder on the cap then pull the distributor out drop the new one in with the button pointing at number 1 cylinder no need to mark nothing tfs

good job

After you set the base timing to "0" and reconnect the brown timing wire, what does the computer take the timing to at an idle?

where did you the distributor for $ 52.00 at

I like the video.
Rarely do I see the same engine that I have. The only difference is mine is five on the Floor.

nice truck! New subscriber here. fine job! well done!

Hey if that brown wire is disconnected where would I connect it

Awesome job 👍 thanks for the video

One more question, please - on our truck, the ignition module plugs seem to be pointing right at 12 / 1 O'Clock positions if the firewall is 12 - yours seem to be pointed more towards 3 O'Clock? This truck ran perfect until last year and as best I know, the distributor has not come out and been put back in.. maybe since she was new (prior owner).

Nice video, thank you! We've got a '90 C1500 with the 4.3L V6 and she runs perfect when cold - when warmed up though, under load - boy, can it knock. Auto shop couldn't find anything - I put in a new (new old..) computer (up in glove box) and that helped a lot. Already have new plugs, wires, etc. I put new ignition module in distributor this weekend, helped a bit more, but not enough. My distributor, I think, may be original - has the weights that swing for advance.. so I've ordered a $52'ish new dist. from RockAuto, should be here later this week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed - ps: thanks for showing the brown wire to disconnect for timing, is it solid brown, or brown with white stripe? - Regards, Bill

This guy's got a Bing Crosby-esque soothing sounding voice

Did the issue with your distributor cause it to backfire. I really like your video, I’m gonna change mine tomorrow it has 200,000 miles

Go on, my friend ... your mentality liked me I hope you will talk about the V6 diesel engines that are suitable as replacements for the Astro van 4.3 engines 95 Octane Gasoline Thank you for your reaction

Good video learned something thanks

Good video learned something thanks

WHAT CONNECTOR DID YOU DISCONECT TO SET TIMING AT BASE TIMING

I have a 92 Silverado with a 4.3 V6 engine. I put a new distributor but I did not put it back how the old distributor was sitting. The truck turns on but is misfiring then it shuts off after couple minutes. How do I put the engine at top dead center so I can put it on time with the timing gun?

Finally a video with the same distributor as I have thanks bud ✌✌✌

Where should the rotor point if proper clocking was never denoted when disassembling on a early non vortec 4.3?

Thanks for the video. My 94 Sonoma has the same engine. What was your truck doing when it wasn't running right? What was it that made you want to replace the whole distributor?

I got a 1995 Cheyenne 4.3 TBI and has jumped time never actually put a distributor in my self got the concept in my mind but 1 thang that is throwing me off is that brown wire was talking about how do you locate im thanking it could be a different color

On my 1995 Chevy C1500 4.3 The (DI) timing wire is located in front of the Heater Blower, inside the cab, passenger side below glove box. Single Brown wire with black stripe .

I've got you another old blue if you're interested. 96 GMT400 4.3 automatic

I just got a Napa Distributor for my 1990 GMC 1500 but it does not come with the brass sheld for the pickup. The star is not riveted to the shaft so do need the sheld.

nice job, so the replacement fixed it not starting?

I,ve got a 94 s-10 4.3 it will startup then when in gear it will run 50 yds then act like it runs out of gas.I shift in to neutral and turn key off then back on and it starts back up runs a little bit then starts acting like its out of gas. yes it has gas , I changed: filter, injectors, TPS, fuel pump has pressure, dropped the fuel tank tonight and will check for tank problems. I have a spark controll to replace also. replaced ECM 47k I had this in local shop for 2 months all I got was a bill. this has been going on for almost a year. somebody help !!!!

Was having a problem with my old blue stumbling and stalling. Tried different things. Egr valve was bad i replaced that. Then truck got worse so i figured must be a firing issue. I watched your vid and saw how u did your distributor and i went to advance auto paid $125 for brand new distributor and followed your instructions. Dude it runs like a new truck and thank u so much for posting this vid. These little 4.3 v6 engines are tough and hold up awesome plus easy to work on.

If you reinstall the new distributor in the same exact position as the old ,why would you have to mess with the timing?

Do these have a tab for the oil pump at the bottom of the distributor you have to align

maybe you can help me trouble shoot, 92 chevy s10 4.3. wont start seems like pick up coil, distributor/rotor may be bad. truck usually sits all winter in damp environment so would imagine one of those, any suggestions. if i drown it in starting fluid i can sometime get it to start

I have a chevy cheyenne c1500 it started no problem and drives to but then it seems to wanna die out after i drive for like 2 mins

What will happen if I didn’t disconnect the tan wire??

Is that clockwise? And what’s the gap size on the plugs?

Thank you so much I just replaced the distributor and it’s got no power oil pressure drops and it pops every now and then

So that’s the firing order

You said 612345?

im about to set the timing in my truck same engine 93 thanks for the help i replaced only the pick up coil and so far its good just need to time it and your video was a good reference thanks! 93 2wd 4.3tbi dark blue 165,000 km

Going to replace the distributor cap and rotor in Loretta (my '93 Chevy) this weekend, but I suspect the entire distributor may need to be replaced soon. I thought I'd watch a couple videos of the process just for fun. The crazy thing is I was born and raised in Eaton. I still live in Hartford City and work just northeast of Muncie. Small world!! This was a great video. Thanks for sharing!

Hey zip have you ever had that little bb fall out of an extension or ratchet? If so how did you fix it?

Good one Zippo, the way you take care of your truck it will make it to 300,000 and maybe some more, thanks for the video

I had a 89 c 1500 with 350 with a standard transmission had 328000 miles before tranny went. Motor ran great

I'm sure OLD BLUE will make it to 300K, with all the runs to/from Eaton. The Caravan rental made a handy "lumber hauler" yesterday. One of the reasons* I "benched " my '84 Subaru SW had some overly high RPM issues on cold start. The rental came with an Indiana temporary tag. *$2600 rust repair was the main issue. Very informative Video as always.

Last time i changed a distributor was un my 75 impala i put a 396 in. Seems some teenage idiot in a rush to put the engine broke some things lol. Man i miss that car.

Riveting video!!! A professional video. After some troubleshooting you narrowed this issue right down. The good GM's have the Distributor hiding in the back. (350 and 4.3) Nice 6 point wrench. Commenting as I go. -------------- I have been thinking of replacing the ZED but not yet. I talked to Mrs, Bruce and we are willing to put some major money into him as I only put 2000 miles on him a year. Funny he is a male. Probably a male as there hasn't been much trouble with him :-) We have to have 2 vehicles that can travel 4000 miles in one trip, without worry. Remember we are in Canada with lots of miles between cities. I am babbling. I am watching with great interest as a 4.3 is a 5.7 without 2 cylinders. Great mechanic work. I loved this. Looking into the future. Great shot of the helical cut gear. That is not easy work, huddled in there for a young man like you!!!! Good luck on old blue we are all pulling for her------------- him!!! All the best. the older i get the more i love these older trucks. Just watching this I am keeping the ZED. 186,00 kms which is 116,000 miles. I think even if I put 4000 dollars into him that is only 8 payments on a new one. .

Nice job zip