Firing order and cylinder layout

Posted by Andrew Armitage On 2013/2/21 22:27:57

OK, I screwed up. In the process of tuning my car up (1954 288 cid L-8) (new distributor cap / rotor / condensor / points) and now it won't start. I replaced the distributor cap and I thought I was pretty careful about switching the wires over but I goofed as now when the starter is turning over the engine, I have no hint of ignition.

The firing order is 1-6-2-5-8-3-7-4 correct?

I can't find how the cylinders are numbered... 1 through 8, front of the car rearward?

If I at least know which cylinder is #1, I can stumble my way through getting the plug wires in the right order to the right cylinders.

Error #2 on my part is that when I pulled the distributor out to change the ignition parts, I didn't mark / take notice of which way the rotor was pointing. In my '41 Cadillac and '40 Buick, it can only go back one way (where it's split on the end and fits into the oil pump, each side is a different length), on this engine, it can go two ways as you probably know. I noticed after I had spun it and then looked to see the ends are the same length on both sides!

So I need help as to which cylinder is #1 and where approximately should the rotor be pointed when it's at TDC?

Thanks fellas.