Dumb question here guys, but when pulling the distributor to swap out a new intake manifold, is there a way you can mark It's position or is it inevitable You'll have to re-time the engine?

 

When you take your cap off, you can mark with chalk on the manifold the position of the rotor in relation to the manifold (how it's facing etc). This way you can drop a new distributor in and as long as the rotor is facing the same angle you shouldn't have to do anything but tighten it down unless you get it one tooth off in either direction. However, since you are swapping manifolds, you may have to set the number 1 cylinder to TDC and re-time the motor that way because you won't have your reference mark.

 

Engine can be anywhere so long as you know where the rotor was pointing before taking dist out

Observe position of #1 plug on dist cap in relation to engine
Remove dist cap ,
Rotate engine until rotor is pointing to front ( 6 o'clock ) Remove dist .
Install new intake , drop in dist so rotor is in same position.
Rotate dist body to position #1 plug in position as noted above

So long as you haven't rotated the engine while doing intake swap dist will be near enough to where it came out.
All ways good to recheck timing with timing light

The dist shaft rotates on the cam gear as it drops in so you have to start with rotor at 5 o'clockish for it to finish up at 6 o'clock when dist fully seated down

 

Marking before pulling the distributor will allow you to re-install it in the ball-park, but you'll still need to put a light on it.

Jake