Was on the interstate doing about 70. Had no check engine lights, no unusual engine characteristics. Then a sudden jerk and engine immediately died. I figured the timing chain had let loose, opened the motor, chain is fine, not even fatigued. What else would cause it suddenly shut down? Fuel pump is priming and there is fuel on the bar.

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A 92 would have a dist, might want to pull the cap and take a look inside.

Does it crank over?

Yep, turning over.

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Do you have spark? If not, it could be distributor or ignition coil or ignition module. My 94 did the same when the distributor rotor, for lack of a better term, exploded.

If you're getting spark, check the fuel pressure at the rail.

Okay, Update. Pulled the cap and inspected the rotor, it is intact. However, it does move approx. 1/2" on the turn. I was under the impression there should be NO movement when the engine is not running. There is a spark, both at the coil and the plugs, will NOT start with ether. There is good fuel pressure on the bar as well. Can I assume the distributor has lost a tooth/come out of time? That might explain the jerk when the truck shutdown.

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Turn the engine to tdc #1, then look where the rotor is pointing, if it has that much movement, the cam may have taken a few teeth off the dist gear.

Update! The photo should be all I need to add, it was definitely the distributor!

Attached Images

IMG_20150204_101124422[1].jpg (97.3 KB, 29 views)

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Ew God. Be sure to check your timing and use TDC when you replace the distributor. It probably jumped timing when that happened.

I'm assuming that at TDC and the rotor pointing directly at the firewall with the distributor in place, that should be proper timing?

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If #1 plug wire tower is in that location, ok, but you need to verify which wire goes to the #1 cyl. Then make sure the rotor is pointing at that one. Also using a really bright light, you need to look down into the engine at the gear on the cam, that drives the dist, it may look just like that one.

Last question folks, the cam gear is fine, no apparent wear, guess it's a hell of a lot stronger the distributor gear (it is twice the size!). I checked the harmonic balancer and found the timing marks. I assume that I put TDC right at the cam position sensor and check suction/compression at the #1 spark plug? Appreciate all the help on this.

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I second that, check the cam shaft gear. If it is damaged you will need to replace it. You run the risk of damaging the new distributor if you don't. HF has an inspection camera for under $100 that could get you a really good look at it. And who doesn't like a new tool. Just saying.

I slowly had a friend turn over the motor with a chain wrench and all the cam teeth are intact, no noticeable wear.

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Okay, I managed to set the timing and worked out the issues with the distributor. The online info is sketchy at best, if anyone has issues with the same procedure, by all means contact me via email or private message and I can walk you through the entire process. The old girl is running meaner and leaner than ever before, here's to another 200k!

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