Firing order on Chevrolet in-line 6

Ralph Bauer · May 2, 2012

Bought a (1953?, don't have title yet)Chev 6400 grain truck at an auction. Ran just fine at the beginning, but when the item came up for auction, it would not start, just starter "working", no fire whatsoever. Am pretty sure someone messed around with the truck, distributor? I am aware of the old saying "15 is too young, 36 too old, 24 just right" as far as the firing order is concerned. If I apply this to this truck, it does not match at all. And second, where do I start to count on the distributor, clockwise, counter-clockwise? I did label it without any idea on how it is suppose to be, to make it a bit easier to describe. Would appreciate any help! Thanks in advance, Ralph.
PS: truck is sitting at a gin, no mechanic nearby to ask and the auction is from an estate.... can't ask the previous owner.

bill mart · May 2, 2012

alot of inline 6's are 1-5-3-6-2-4. one starting at the front of the engine,it can vary on the cap where 1 is also depends on which way the distributor shaft turns,cw vs ccw. Bill

Ralph Bauer · May 2, 2012

How do I know which way the distributor shaft does turn?? are there any markings on it? I took the cap off and didn't see any, neither on the cap or inside.

oldtanker · May 2, 2012

Get the #1 cyl on the compression stroke and then turn to TDC on the timeing marks. Firing order is 153624. While turning the the engine to TDC check to see which way the roter button is turning. When at top dead center, fit the cap and put the #1 wire (One cloest to the front/fan end) at which ever post the roter is pointing at then going int he direction that the rotor turns #,5,#3#6#2#4.

Rick

barnE · May 2, 2012

Crank and observe rotation. Clockwise or counter clockwise. Draw a little curly arrow somewhere if you can't remember like me. Dave

oldtanker · May 2, 2012

OH yea your A on the picture is #6 B #5 ECT ECT.....backwards.

You should be getting fire even though it's wired wrong. SO check for voltage to the point with them open. If you have voltage clean the points. and check the gap.

Rick

Anonymous-0 · May 2, 2012

Absolutly all in-line six cylinder engines regardless of brand gas or diesel. are too young, too old, just right. 15 36 24

oldtanker · May 2, 2012

(quoted from post at 15:10:58 05/02/12)

OK if you have the #1 wire in the right hole you need to swap the plug wire to the front plug. Looking at it from the photo from right to left the plug order is 1,2,3,4,5,6. The next nipple to the right or one in the photo should go to #5, then #3, working around the dizzy clockwise. then #6 then #2 and #4.

Rick

Allan in NE · May 2, 2012

It's a Chevy, it turns clockwise.

Allan

Ralph Bauer · May 2, 2012

I think I made a labeling mistake in pic#2:A is B in pic#1, B is C, and C is D! so sorry.

BCnT · May 2, 2012

not sure if its just picture or what,but that yellow wire between coil and distributor looks like it got pinched...wire could be broken internally.

guido · May 2, 2012

Hello Ralph Powers
If #1 is the the right spot on the distributor here is the firing order for cw rotation:
#1 wire goes to F cyl 1
#6 wire goes to B cyl 5
#5 wire goes to D cyl 3
#4 wire goes to A cyl 6
#3 wire goes to E cyl 2
#2 wire goes to C cyl 4
F is # 1 cylinder closest to the radiator.
That is my guess!
Guido.

Bryan inIowa · May 2, 2012

Look at the vacuum advance . rotation is clockwise , cuz when vac advance pulls it advances the rotation , follow ? applies to all cept ETD"s lol

John M · May 2, 2012

.
Here, this will help

Ralph Bauer · May 2, 2012

The wire is a bit exposed, where the glare starts ...I checked the actually wire, looks good.... but
I'll triple check.

retired farmer · May 2, 2012

Did you check the coil wire to see if it was still plugged in. I have had them come loose on either end and they won't run.

Philt · May 2, 2012

My uncle always told me, to young(15) to old(36) just right(24)

Keith Molden · May 3, 2012

it might be just my old eyes fooling me, but I can't see the other wire on the coil in either picture. I can see a wire hanging down by the starter, but don't see anything connected to the coil on that side. won't run without it & common for someone to pull it off at auctions. Just my thoughts, Kieth

36 Coupe · May 3, 2012

That wire got broken often on chevy 6 because the distributor moves to advance the spark.The wire can be broken inside the insulation.I remember firing order was on the intake manifold.

36 Coupe · May 3, 2012

Ralph,crank the engine a bit with the cap off.The Chevy rotor is small, breaks down, no spark to cylinders.

El Toro · May 3, 2012

Remove No1 sparkplug near the radiator and bring that piston to TDC on the compression stroke. Hold your thumb over the plug while a helper slowly cranks the engine until you feel pressure against your thumb. Once you feel pressure drop a long plastic straw on the top of that piston. Have the helper keep bumping the engine over as you watch the straw rise. Have the cap off and note the direction your rotor rotates. When the straw quits rising No1 piston should be at TDC on the compression stroke. Note where your rotor is pointing should be at the No1 plug tower. That plug wire should be connected to the plug near the radiator. Your next wire going by the direction the rotor turns is No5 plug, then to No3, No6, No2, No4 since your firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Hal
PS: Don't pull the distributor.

onefarmer · May 3, 2012

Looking at the pic, tracing the plug wires, they seem to be in the correct order. Most likely not been molested. I'd check for power to the coil. Get a test light, turn the key on and see if there is power to the battery side of the coil. If there is, start looking at the points. And/or you could get a helper, pull the coil wire out of the dist cap and while holding it 1/4" from the engine have your helper crank the engine over(make sure the trans is out of gear). Look for spark. The points may be corroded enough they aren't making contact.

Yes the dist turns clockwise. Look at the vacuum advance. It pulls opposite rotation.

Anonymous-0 · May 3, 2012

I can't see any wire attached to the ignition side of the coil, or am I blind.?

barnE · May 3, 2012

36 coupe. I remember those wires breaking off from rotation. Dave

36 Coupe · May 3, 2012

I remember 36 being real nice.

gbs · May 3, 2012

cap is wired right best i can tell from photo looks like ign. wire isn't hooked to coil also check points for corrosion

36 Coupe · May 11, 2012

Looks like wire is off the coil.Common trick done at auctions to discourage bidding.Watch to see who is bidding.If you can use the item bid them up.I was at an auction looking for a post hole digger.Six new ones there,2 guys bidding .Went past the money I had fast.When the auction was over there were still 6 diggers there.

Firing order on Chevrolet in-line 6

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