trying to find the firing order on the distributor for a 1963 impala SS?

Question

i took off all the wiresets for the sparkplugs and didn't know what i was doing and before my dad came to help me i took them all off now it has the firing order on the engine but i don't know what the order is on the distributor tho

Answer 1

You will have to set the crank timimg from the timing mark on the crank pully. You will have to know which is the correct timing mark to use. I would reccomend buying either a Haynes or a Chiltons manual to ensure you do this right. There are bad things that can happen if this step is performed incorrectly.

Answer 2

Firing order starts clockwise from the door on the distributor cap. So, if you had a V-8 with the firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, then 1 would be the first plug to the left of the window used to adjust the points. 8 would be the next plug clockwise, etc.

Update: Double-check this link below, as I thought the one to the right of the front window was #1, not the one to the left. Also, my Chevy Nova did not have the window facing forward, but a slight twist to the right front of the car (left from the front).

This image indicates that 1 begins on the connect just right of the window, if I read it correctly. If this image is also not showing the door properly, then, my answer is 2 positions off.

At this point, I would doublecheck online at Motors Manual or other online car repair manual sources.

Answer 3

I don't k now what engine your car has, but the Chevy small-block V-8 firing order is:

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Answer 4

If the distributor is in the original position the number one plug wire should be the one in the front. You could take the # 1 spark plug out and tap the starter while holding your finger over the spark plug hole. When you feel air trying to blow by your finger watch the timing mark and bump the starter until the timing marks line up. When they do the rotor should be pointing to the position for the #1 plug wire ...Good Luck...

Answer 5

Should be 18436572. Get the motor to top dead center. (Align harmonic balancer TDC with timing tab TDC) Don't get confused but there are two TDCs in your motor one is firing on compression stroke and the other is top dead on exhaust stroke. Anyhow, get it top dead. Align the rotor to point at cylinder #1 and wire clockwise starting with 1 around the cap with the 18436572 sequence. Incase you are totally in the dark on this, driverside front (closest to radiator) is #1 and goes back 3, 5, and nearest firewall is 7. Passenger side front is 2 then back to 4, 6, and firewall 8. Set it all up, if it won't fire turn the rotor 180* because you have the wrong TDC. GLuck!

Also, I am just assuming this is an HEI setup........

Answer 6

This is a very personal decision. I think the '61 Bubbletop is one of the coolest cars Chevy built in the '60s. There are minor differences but don't get all caught up in that. They restyled the cars often back then, but actual improvements were minimal if they existed at all. They're all OLD! They're all very cool. Enjoy yourself. I'd put 4 wheel disc brakes on if I were you!

Answer 7

18436572 is the generic standard firing order.

take the valve cover off the number 1 cyl side. remove the spark plug
tap the swich so the engine turns over. when both the valves are closed, and the piston is at top dead center. that is #1 position on the distributer, and wire from there

Answer 8

You may have to manually figure this one out. Crank the engine by hand and inspect the position of all cylinders, but this may not be accurate.

Answer 9

1-8--4-3-6-5-7-2- on all small block Chevy v-8 engines ,that should get it right ,and it turns clockwise,good luck.

Answer 10

very easy to know, on your in take, you find the fireing ordor, on the chev, should be on front of the intake in front of the culb