Ok I am working on my mother'* truck. 96 GMC Sierra 1500, 4x4 with the 5.7L V8 350 small block.

We just replaced intake manifold gaskets, and for some reason cannot get the distributor to get back into time.
Someone else had already removed the distributor before I got there, so I was unable to mark it'* timing position to put it back how it was.

This has been fighting us for a few days now, here is what'* up.

We have set cylinder 1 at TDC, using the timing indicator on the timing chain cover, and the groove in the harmonic balancer.
The distributor has been installed according to instructions from the Haynes manual, as well as a printout from ALLDATA. We used a long screwdriver to turn the oil pump driveshaft to line up appropriately with the distributor.
We still have a no start.
We have compression, fuel, spark. The starter and battery are both good. The distributor cap and rotor are both new, and the driveshaft on the distributor is in good shape (no missing or worn teeth on the gear end).

What are we missing? We have followed everything we can find to a tee.

THANKS

You have a 25% chance of getting it right when putting a 350 at TDC #1. Best way to do it...

1. Remove the left hand side valve cover(drivers side)
2. Remove the distributor
3. Rotate the engine until your crank timing marks point at TDC.
4. Check #1 rockers. If either one is tight, rotate the engine 360 until TDC again.
Repeat step 4 until both rockers on cylinder #1 are loose. This means both valves are closed and you are now at TDC.
5. Locate #1 spark plug on your distributor cap and rotate the rotor so it points to #1 cylinder. Now this is the tricky part, when the dizzy(short for distributor) is installed into the engine, you will notice that the rotor will rotate at the gear meshes with the camshaft gear. This will throw your timing off. So what you need to do is rotate the shaft 1 tooth in either direction to compensate for mesh drift. When the dizzy finally lands in its final resting place in the engine, the dizzy rotor point should now be pointing at #1. Or very close, but you can adjust your dizzy anyway for a few degrees.

Thanks, I'll try that today.