How do I reset distributor on 98 chevy k1500 4x4 5.0

Take out #1 plug if possible. put straw or something similar in plug hole on top of piston, put a wrench on crankshaft pulley nut and rotate engine. when piston gets to the top it should be on tdc. and rotor pointing to #1 wire on distributor cap. replace plug and adjust dist, if piston is on top, and dist, is off. pull dist so the rotor button points to #1. GOD-bless! OR YOU CAN ALSO ALIGN THE TDC MARK ON CRANKSHAFT DAMPER.

I don't know of any factory marks. You have to put the #1 cylinder at TDC of the compression stroke, then drop in the dist. so the rotor points to the #1 spark plug tower on the dist. cap. The rotor will turn slightly as the dist. shaft slides down, so you need to start the dist. with the rotor turned slightly back. When it drops down, the rotor will be pointing directly to the #1 plug wire tower. Repeat until you have it right. Then it will start, and after warmed up, set the timing with a timing light.

TDC (Top Dead Center) of compression stroke: there are two TDC's for each cylinder, the compression TDC, and the exhaust TDC. To find the compression stroke, pull out the #1 spark plug. With your finger over the plug hole to feel pressure, turn the crankshaft over clockwise with a ratchet and socket on the crankshaft pulley. As the piston rises on compression stroke, you will feel pressure on your finger (there is no pressure build-up on the exhaust stroke). As soon as you feel pressure, now just turn the crankshaft further till the piston is at TDC. You can use a straw or pencil in the hole to find the top, or just look at the pointer scale by the crank pulley. The mark or notch on the pulley will be at 0 degrees on the pointer scale, TDC of compression stroke-now drop in the distributor.

If you know the engine's number one cylinder location, you need to put it at TDC of the compression stroke, then you lower the distributor in so that the rotor ends up pointing to the #1 spark plug wire tower on the distributor cap. As you drop it down, the gear on the dist. shaft will mesh with another gear and turn slightly. You want it ending up pointing directly to #1. Get it seated, then you can start the engine and set the timing according to specs with a timing light.

To find TDC of the compression stroke (as opposed to TDC of the exhaust stroke), pull the #1 spark plug out. Put a socket and wrench on the crankshaft pulley and turn it in its normal direction (clockwise), with your finger over the spark plug hole. As the number one piston is rising on its compression stroke, you can feel the pressure build up under your finger. You won't feel any pressure as the piston rises on the exhaust stroke, only on the compression stroke. So when you feel pressure, you know the piston is rising on its compression stroke, and you can turn the crank on around until the piston is at top of its travel-the notch on the crank pulley will now line up with the zero degrees mark on the pointer scale beside the pulley. There, TDC of compression stroke. Now drop in the distributor so the rotor tip lines up with the #1 spark plug tower on the dist. cap.

Set No. 1 to TDC/COMPRESSION. To set in the following manner.
a. Remove No.1 spark plug.
b. Place your finger over the hole of the no.1 spark plug and rotate
the crankshaft clockwise to tdc. If pressure is felt on your finger
this is TDC/Compression of the no.1 cylinder. If not repeat the
process.
c. Position the slot of the oil pump drive from 12 o clock looking
at it from the bolt that holds the distributor down should be
approx at 30 degrees to the right.
d. Align the groove of the housing with the drill mark of the driven
gear (not driven gear straight pin).
e. Insert the distributor, aligning the center of the flange with that
of the bolt hole on the cylinder block.
f. Also you can line up the no.1 marking of the cap to the rotor position
for no.1

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

TDC on #1 compression stroke,not exhaust

Number 1 on the dist cap-- is at about 7 o clock,
as you face the motor from the front

2-4-6-8
1-3-5-7

1&2 are at the front-- as you face it

The fireing order is 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2 . Pull #1 plug bring engine up on' top
dead center if you put a finger in the plug hole you will hear and feel the engine coming up on compression and TDC, Pull dist cap and locate # 1 terrminal the rotor will be pointing at the location .Rotation on small block chevy's is clockwise start with #1 and plug the wires in. Hope this helps
Regards

Hi, the procedure is pasted below. Ignore the timing marks and just verify you are at TDC of the compression stroke on the #1 piston. You can tell compression versus exhaust stroke by plugging the spark plug hole with your thumb while turning the crankshaft (there will be no pressure on the exhaust stroke). Please let me know if you have more questions, and thanks for using FixYa.


Timing Disturbed

1. Remove the No. 1 cylinder spark plug. Turn the engine using a socket wrench on the large bolt on the front of the crankshaft pulley. Place a finger near the No. 1 spark plug hole and turn the crankshaft until the piston reaches Top Dead Center (TDC). As the engine approaches TDC, you will feel air being expelled by the No. 1 cylinder. If the position is not being met, turn the engine another full turn (360 degree). Once the engine position is correct, install the spark plug.
2. Align the cast arrow in the distributor housing, the driven gear roll pin and the pre-drilled indent hole in the distributor driven gear. If the driven gear is installed correctly, the dimple will be approximately 180° opposite the rotor segment when it is installed in the distributor.
   NOTE Installing the distributor 180° out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, may cause a no start condition or can cause premature engine damage and wear.
   
3. Make sure the rotor is pointing to the cap hold-down mount nearest the flat side of the housing.
4. Using a long screwdriver, align the oil pump drive shaft in the engine in the mating drive tab in the distributor.
5. Install the distributor in the engine. Make sure the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine.
6. When the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast in the distributor base. The pointer will have a -6'' cast into it indicating a 6 cylinder engine. If the rotor segment is not within a few degrees of the pointer, the distributor gear may be off a tooth or more. If this is the case repeat the process until the rotor aligns with the pointer.
7. Install the cap and fasten the mounting screws.
8. Tighten the distributor mounting bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
9. Engage the electrical connections and the spark plug wires.

First verify if you have spark using a tester,then verify you have fuel
now verify timing heres how;

To get #1 compression remove plug and put your finger in the hole and have someone crank the engine until you feel your finger being pushed off by the air pressure. Now line up the timing mark.

Rotate the number 1 cylinder to Top Dead Center (TDC) 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 (3).
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.

Notice: Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the distributor rotor in the wrong holes, may cause a no-start condition. Premature engine wear and damage may result.

With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned as shown for a V6 engine (1) or V8 engine (2).
- 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 it 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.
- This pointer may have a 6 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 cylinder engine or a 8 cast into it, 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.

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. Refer to Spark Plug Wire Harness Replacement
Important: If the Malfunction Indicator lamp is turned on after installing the distributor, and a DTC P1345 is found, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.
Repeat Installation Procedure 2 for proper distributor installation 
hope this helps

You should begin by static timing it. Mark #1 location at distributor on engine or something you can refer to later. Remove Dist. cap make sure the distributor rotor is rotating when engine cranks, If it does not the timing chain broke. If it rotates:
1. pull #1 plug, place thumb over plug hole and rotate balancer with socket wrench till it blows your finger off hole. This is #1 TDC compression stroke.
2. look at distributor rotor--it should be pointing at #1 location mark you made earlier if it is you have a spark issue.
3. If it is not pointing to #1 you remove Dist. hold down bolt under Dist. and carefully pull the dist. up while rotating rotor.
4. You will need to advance the dist. a few teeth past#1 (rotating Rotor) then re-install dist. if it doesn't line up to #1 keep repeating step 4 till it does. After you get it right you should be good to go. A timing gun will be needed after to clock in the timing after installing the distributor.
Good luck!!!

take out number 1 spark plug and put your finger as to block the hole ,have a friend bump the starter till you feel air rush out real fast / called the compression stroke when it does stop and look down the top center for timing marks on the pulley and line them up on the timing cover then place the distributor in place as so the rotor is pointing at the #1 piston location, basically the dr. front corner and start there, timing order is 1..8..4..3..6..5..7..2.. now if you get all these in right 1..3..5..7 are on the drivers side front to back and 2..4..6..8 on the passengers bank front to back and the distributor turns clockwise .good luck hope this helps you.