what are the symptoms of having the wrong #1 cylinder

3007 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by S10 Racer, Jun 20, 2012

xzero117

Discussion Starter · Jun 20, 2012

I have a 350 chevy engine which I suspect has a messed up firing order

the engine starts and runs, yet i can't adjust the timing right and my mpg is horrible, like 2 mpg, even withtimign advanced all the way to the point where i get the best throttle response the exhaust reeks of unburned fuel and smokes white when i rev it(not steam or coolant)

i have the correct firing sequence on the cap 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, i think i might have the wrong #1 cylinder marked down

can anyone help me out

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S10 Racer

· #2 · Jun 20, 2012

The #1 cylinder for the motor is on the driver side, nearest the radiator. Without knowing how the distributor is installed, #1 could be anywhere. Pull the plugs out so the motor is easier to turn. Get the correct socket and ratchet that fits the bolts for the harmonic balancer. Cover the #1 plug hole with your finger and turn the motor slowly with the ratchet. When you feel compression, watch for the timing mark on the harmonic balancer and bring it in line with the pointer. Pull the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing, that will be where #1 needs to start. Start with #1 plug wire and work clockwise around the distributor 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

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timothale

· #3 · Jun 20, 2012 (Edited)

what engine ?

some engines had Number one on the second crank throw, some numbered all on one side 1234 then the other side 5678. other engines alternate side to side, I put a Buick Nailhead in my willys, Nailheads have the passenger side cylinder front on the block, made the left rear closer to the steering gear in my engine swap in a 56 chevy truck, I checked the rotor position for No 1 in the willys , Then routed the wires and locations and distributor rotation like Ford engines I was used to working on . It started and ran , crappy but would run. I got a shop tune up manual, did it right, I found that about 5 wires were firing correctly. l

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S10 Racer

· #4 · Jun 20, 2012

timothale said:
some engines had Number one on the second crank throw, some numbered all on one side 1234 then the other side 5678. other engines alternate side to side, I put a Buick Nailhead in my willys, Nailheads have the passenger side cylinder front on the block, made the left rear closer to the steering gear in my engine swap in a 56 chevy truck, I checked the rotor position for No 1 in the willys , Then routed the wires and locations and distributor rotation like Ford engines I was used to working on . It started and ran , crappy but would run. I got a shop tune up manual, did it right, I found that about 5 wires were firing correctly. l

His post said 350 Chevy so #1 is the front left (driver side).

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