Hey I have a 1996 dodge ram with the 5.9L motor. Im replacing the distributor and someone rotated the motor while the distributor was out, Im in need of knowing if the distributor has to be Sync'd with a scan tool ( from what ive heard) or can I just line everything up on the motor to drop it in? If so whats the mark on the damper that should be lined up? one of the 3 slits in the damper or the hole on the damper?

 

#1 at TDC, rotor pointing at #1 on the cap, there is a notch in the distributor body that needs to be lined up with the rotor, and a mark on the block. Procedure is in the service manual, which can be found here. That should get it close enough to run, but, should still have fuel sync set with a scan tool.

 

Whats the DRB scan tool? Special program or will an ethos snap on scan tool work?

 

The DRB is the Mopar scan tool at the service center but has been replaced with something newer.
I don't know about the Ethos scan tool but you can set it with a Snap On MT2500 scan tool. Look through the tools or settings on the Ethos and see if it does Fuel Sync and if it does then you're good to go.

 

 

So if I have the motor in the right position, the rotor should be pointing at the "Cyl. No. 1" mark on the cam sensor which will have the engine run but not perfectly?

 

Yep, things must be lined up correctly to have even a small hope of the engine running decent...... You can get it pretty close, and some folks get lucky, but, it is still best to have it set with a scan tool.

 

Eagleye,
Where are you from? Fill out your info in the profile area and maybe someone who lives near you might have a scan tool you could barrow or they can come over and help you.

 

I replaced my distributor and lined it up with tdc mark on balancer and rotor aligned with mark on distributor.

This got it to run and then I set fuel sync using the digital volt meter method to get 5 volt at switching point.

I know I should get it set with a scan tool but it runs good enough for now until I can either find someone with the tool that I can borrow or set it for me. I really do not want to pay the dealer to do this.

 

Well kxcrazy you're never going to find someone on here that might help you out unless you tell us where you're from. It is real easy to fill out your profile info and then it helps people by know what type of truck you have and where you are.