Should distributor turn freely on a v6v6 vortec

Start the engine. Aim the timing light at the timing marks on the front of the engine. Turn the distributor to change the timing as needed by grasping the distributor cap and rotating the distributor by hand. Set the timing to 10 degrees and tighten the hold-down bolt and reconnect the timing connector.
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4.3l vortec distributor making clicking noise - YouTube

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9PrBKq75Qk
Sep 8, 2013 - Uploaded by john smith
4.3l vortec distributor making clicking noise. john smith ... I just replaced my cap and roter but it still makes the same sound. Read more Show ...

Get #1 cylinder at top dead center on the compression stroke. With the rotor button on the distributor. Insert the distributor in the hole with the button pointing to #3 cylinder. As it goes down the button will turn. When it is all the way down the button should be pointing to #1 cylinder. Adjust as necessary. Once back together, you'l still need to time it with a timing light.

if you cant turn the pump shaft chances are your pump is locked up and needs replaced, why did you pull the distributor?

Man your best bet would be to take it to good Toyota mechanic! When it jumps time their hard enough to get back on!

back down to the drivers side of the distributor. just to the right of the base of the distributor you will find it. right, as in facing the distributor from the front of the blazer. you can find a picture of it in the how to vortec intake section on helpwrench.com

The vortec 4.3 is self timing, and not adjustable. if you have the distributor out, you need to have the engine on #1tdc, and install the distributor with the rotor on, once the distributor is in place, the rotor must point to the small #6 on distributor body.(the top edge of the black plastic housing, there is a small arrow, with a #6 on it).remembering the cap is cross fire, the rotor should point to #1 cyl on the cap.

The timing isn't adjustable. You can't turn the distributor, the tab is locked to it. Did you have the distributor out and need to reinstall it on the right tooth or do you need to know how to set the cam timing?

Have you checked to see if your distributor is aligned properly? I just had to change out a distributor on a 1997 GMC 3/4 ton that has the V8 Vortec in it as well and you need to pay attention to the (2) numbers around the mating surface / rim of the distributor. You should see a number 8 and a number 6. You need to find TDC on your number 1 cyl. You can either slowly crank the motor over or turn the motor over with a ratchet and socket on the bolt securing the main pully to the crank while another person places their finger over the spark plug hole and when it just starts to Stop pushing air out past your finger then stop. Is the rotor aligned with the number what ever size engine you have in your truck (i.e. 6 or 8)? If not then your timing is off. You will need to remove the distributor and rotor, then install your rotor (before re-installing the distributor) and align the rotor pointer with either the number 8 or 6 stamped on the lip of the distributor where the cap sits down and creates the seal. I have found that they run both numbers on the distributor because they use the same distributor in both the V6 and V8 Vortec motors or a least the plastic base of the distributor. There will be (2) numbers here and sometimes hard to see. Align the pointer with what size engine you have and lower the distributor down into the hole. If the end of the shaft starts to turn the rotor as it aligns with the oil pump causing the pointer to no longer be pointed at the number that indicates which engine this is being installed in then you need to remove the distributor and look down into the hole where the distributor goes in and you'll see the end of the oil pump shaft with a slot (perfect for a big flat head screwdriver) staring back up at you. You'll need to insert a long shanked large flat head screwdriver down into the hole and turn the slotted oil pump shaft until you can successfully lower the distrubutor into place and not lose your mark. I also found that you'll need to have to pointer of the rotor a bit retarted from where it is suppose to be. This is because the distributor shaft gear is swirled and will cause the rotor to turn as it finds its mark, aligns and lowers down into a seated position. When it is seated and the rotor has stopped turning it should be pointing at the indicated cylinder Stamp in the lip that is your size motor (V6 or V8). Now it should be on time. The computer will take care of advancing and retarding.

If not the timing, then I would also consider that you may have a bad crank shaft sensor. These are merley suggestions because there is no more to go on than what you've submitted.