GMC Repair: 2001 GMC JIMMY Intake manifold, intake manifold gasket replacement, intake manifold gasket

Question
Good evening, Thank you for your participation in this forum.In August,2007 you gave an answer to a poster with a 1998 GMC Jimmy regarding his diistributor installation/alignment when doing an intake manifold gasket replacement. Can you provide the same instructions for a 2001 JIMMY/4.3L,4WD/auto? We performed an intake manifold replacement and have a no start condition. I suspect an improperly installed distributor like the previous poster.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Answer
Hi
here is the EXACT procedure from GM Service.

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 must align with the engine front cover tab and the crankshaft balancer alignment mark must align with the engine front cover tab.


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.
Align white paint mark on the bottom stem of the distributor, and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear .
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.
With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned for a V6 engine  or V8 engine .
  -  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 the gear is installed in the distributor.
Using a long screw driver, align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
Guide the distributor into the engine. Ensure that the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine.
Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base.
  -  There may be a 6 cast into this pointer, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 cylinder engine or an 8, 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.
Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the distributor clamp bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
Install the distributor cap.
Install two new distributor cap screws.
Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2.4 N·m (21 lb in).
Install the electrical connector to the distributor.
Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap.
Install the ignition coil wire. Note the correct orientation of the wire boot.
Important: If the MIL is turned ON after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.

The segement they speak of for a V6 or V8 engine are, on the distributor body, small VERY small "points"  around where the cap goes, "pointing" towards the inner distributor. If you look VERY closely, you;ll see a small 6 or 8 in either one. The 6 is almost opposite from where the cam sensor plug comes out.
I hope this helps
If not, follow post back
Good Luck
Pawl