If the pin holding the gear has sheared off, you're currently sitting with the gear still sitting around the distributor shaft but freely spinning on it. When you pull the distributor, the gear may or may not come with it. If it does, you're fine. If not, you'll either have to find a way to pull it out through the distributor hole (if it just sits there on top of the oil pump shaft), or pull the oil pan to get it out the bottom (if it falls down into the sump).

 

Oh ok...so my life isn't entirely over then....cool! Lol. Thanks bkaul! I will report back tomorrow nite...hopefully!

 

When my gear pin sheared off, the cause was a bad oil pump that bound up. I replaced the gear before I realized the pump was bad and it ran fine for about a week then sheared again. If you can't see why the pin let go you might want to drop the pan and check the pump for ware. I use a crows foot to loosen the hold down nut.

 

Question is Why did pin shear off in the first place?

 

" All original except Edelbrock u take an carb as of a month ago" This statement By the OP is where I'd start .. The distributor came out then .. I'd just rethink what could have happened at the intake manifold change that might have caused this .. It may not have anything to do with it but it's where I'd start ..

 

Ok...couldn't wait until tonight...so I pulled the dist this morning and of course, it all looks intact...the gear is there, no wear, the little pin above the gear is there....so now what?? Oil pump?? Timing chain? Or maybe just try to reset timing by ear (no timing light)?? Thanks guys.

 

Check this out...looks normal right??

 

If the gear is intact but the distributor wasn't spinning when the crank was, the timing chain is the next thing in line - see if you can look down the distributor hole at the cam gear with a flashlight while turning the crank over by hand, and see if the cam is moving.

 

Ok...dumb question...spinning the fan only won't spin the crank correct?? I tried moving the belts but good luck with that! If spinning the fan only will work, then nothing moves inside the hole...

 

You'll need an assistant a 1/2" drive breaker bar and a deep well 1/2" drive 15/16" socket to fit the bolt in the center of the crank shaft .. Turn clock wise with the truck in neutral and wheels blocked ..

 

Yep, follow this procedure. The crank bolt is pretty large - maybe 15/16" head, IIRC. If you can get yourself positioned at the right angle, you should be able to turn the crank with the breaker bar while looking down the hole.

 

Ok...crank turns but small gear on left hand side isn't moving...next

Thanks guys...

 

Wait!! Just re read the post...didn't have the truck in neutral....let me go try again. Brb.

 

"Small gear" .. You mean when looking through the distributor hole .. If so it's time to strip the front of the motor to the timing set ..
edit : just read your post

 

Ok..truck in neutral...spun crank..small gear inside hole turns..