The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop plug wires and timing;

i'm putting finishing touches on my 261 and need to know placement of plug wires on distributer? I believe firing order to be 135624, but i never knew order on cap for wire replacement...thanks for any info!

Close, but no seegar! The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4, and the starting point on the cap isn't important. Just be sure that the #1 cylinder is on the compression stroke when you look for the place to put that wire. There are several ways to establish that you're actually on the compression stroke, since the ball on the flywheel lines up twice, once for #1, and again for #6. The quick way is to pull the #1 spark plug, put your thumb over the hole, and have someone bump the starter over. When you get a puff of pressure, look at the distributor. The rotor should be aligned, or very near to one of the cap towers. That one becomes your #1 position, and the firing order will follow along in sequence, in a clockwise direction. If you want to be absolutely sure you've got #1 up on compression, you'll need to remove the valve cover. Turn the engine clockwise (from the front) slowly, and watch the valves operate. The #6 exhaust valve (last one in line by the firewall) will open, then begin to close. As the exhaust closes, and the intake starts opening, both #1 and #6 will have the piston at the top of the stroke. #1 will be on the top of the compression stroke, ready to fire the spark plug. #6 will be at the top of the exhaust stroke, with the exhaust valve closing and the intale valve opening.

This is also a very good way to assure that valves are closed, ready for adjustment. With the #6 valves "rocking", #1 is ready to adjust, with both valves fully closed. Exactly one turn of the crankshaft later, #1 will rock, and #6 will be ready to adjust. All cylinders operate in pairs, so 2 and 5, and 3 and 4 have the same relationship as 1 and 6- - -rock 2, adjust 5- - -rock 3, adjust 4, etc. Have fun!
Jerry

Easy way to remember an inline 6 firing order (they're all the same, exept reverse rotation Detroits); Too Young, Too Old, Just Right! My Dad taught me that one.

12 too young
65 too old
34 just right

?

Hy Tim, I think it goes
15 - too young
36 - too old
24 - just right
hence firing order 153624

In case anyone is wondering, the firing order on a reverse rotation Detroit Deisel is 142635.

3B

I know 153624

However, knowing "too young, too old, just right" would not seem to be a help to remember the sequence.

Then there's the small block V8- - - - 18436572

18- - -too young
72- - - too old
from 43 to 65- - - -just right!

Of course, I'm almost 65! I might have to change my tune soon!
Jerry