Anyone have any idea what this part is?

[ChrisT2006]

I found this part in my toolbox after I bought my 89 k1500, it looked kinda important, I just didn’t know what it is or where it goes

 

[99xcss4]

I am not 100% on it but I think that is the pickup coil

 

[Drunkcanuk]

An almost complete distributor?

 

[ChrisT2006]

An almost complete distributor?

Ok, here’s a dumb question: is it necessary?

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Ok, here’s a dumb question: is it necessary?

If you want your spark plugs to work it is!!
Not trying to be a smart a$$, but does your truck run?
What year and motor?

Edit....just saw it's a 89.

 

[Caman96]

An Olympic torch…deflamed.

 

[xXxPARAGONxXx]

Ok, here’s a dumb question: is it necessary?

Not if your vehicle already has one equipped.

You can use that one as a makeshift mallet, a paper weight, or a door stop.

 

[ChrisT2006]

Ok, here’s a dumb question: is it necessary?

An almost complete

If you want your spark plugs to work it is!!
Not trying to be a smart a$$, but does your truck run?
What year and motor?

Yes, it runs great. It’s an 89 K1500. I guess the previous owner replaced the part and kept the old one

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Yes, it runs great. It’s an 89 K1500. I guess the previous owner replaced the part and kept the old one

Then that's probably what it is.
It's the part underneath the thingy (distributor cap) the spark plug wires plug into. It's the part that goes into the engine block, the gears at the bottom get driven by the camshaft.

 

[KansasOBS]

You can use that one as a makeshift mallet, a paper weight, or a door stop.

Or if you're too cheap to buy one, you can grind the gear smooth, cut off part of the top without cutting the shaft, and make a good oil system priming tool.