I'm trying to find the firing order for a 477 Ford truck engine. I also need to know which cylinder is number one. I recently bought a new engine and am trying to get it timed. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

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Normally on any engine design (there's probably an exception but I can't think of any offhand) the forward most cylinder, on the forward most bank, is #1.

Amazingly enough, the 477 actually falls into this, so the passenger side is 1,2,3,4 front to back, and the driver's side is 5,6,7,8. The driver's side in the United States, that is.

The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2, per my Chilton's.

 

Hmmm.....in another spot in the ol' Chilton's, it quotes the firing order
as 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8, in other words with 2 & 8 reversed, identical to the FE engines.

Dunno if Chilton's was asleep that day or what. If you can, check the old wiring order. Otherwise, if it runs like crap, reverse 2 & 8. Then, if it still runs like crap...

 

Well, like you said, the most forward cylinder (by maybe an inch) will be your #1 cylinder. After that, look for the firing order stamped in the intake manifold somewhere. (Remember that when these engine were being made in the 50s-60s a lot of old geezer mechanics didn't use manuals) To tell the rotational direction of the distributor (without cranking the motor) follow the path of the vacuum nipple on the vacuum advance to the vacuum advance mounting screws and that points to the direction of the distributor. (Doesn't matter the make or model on an engine with points)

 

15426378 is probably the correct firing order. I'd try that first. Be sure to look on the intake manifold (yes this means you'll have to scrape the grease off of it )

 

FORD 401, 475, 477, 534 SUPER DUTY V8 ENGINE
Looking at the engine from inside the vehicle the right bank is 1,2,3,4 front to back, and the left bank is 5,6,7,8 front to back.
Firing order: 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 Counter Clockwise. ( cast into the manifold on the left side of the carburettor under the throttle linkage ).
Distributor is mounted with # 1 socket facing the front of the engine & the vacuum advance unit facing the rear of the engine.
Timing Drive: Geared Type ( Distributor Rotates Counter Clockwise ).
Spark Plug: AR6FS or equivalent
Plug Gap: 0.9MM
Initial Ignition Timing ( B.T.D.C.)
Regular Fuel: 6 Deg. @ 550 RPM
With LPG: 10 Deg. @ 550 RPM

 

Anyone here know where I can get a new/used piston to fit a 477 cid. My old man is looking for one on his grain truck and we are on our last leg. Getting crunch time to get into the fields and we are not sure what we are going to do if we can't find one.

Any help would be greatful!

Thanks

 

Did you try NAPA? If that doesn't pan out, try Northern Auto in Sioux City, Iowa. (Google it) If they have it though, they might want to sell you eight of them. Also try to find your piston on ebay.

 

Hi Greg477:

On our 477SD motor the firing order is located as tipperman says "...( cast into the manifold on the left side of the carburetor under the throttle linkage )..." that is the drivers side intake manifold. Also the Firing Order also matches tipperman's as 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 with the order on the distributor counter clockwise.

The distributor is mounted with # 1 socket facing the one o’clock position when looking at the motor from the transmission end. When I tried the distributor at the noon position then the vacuum advance hit the passenger side intake manifold.

When I took the distributor out of our truck I used the seasoned mechanics method for reinstalling the distributor. Remove the #1 spark plug (passenger side front), nudge the starter while feeling for compression on the #1 cylinder. (My method was to block the spark plug opening with my finger.) When cylinder reaches TDC the mark on the flywheel should line up with the timing mark. (Note: The mark on the flywheel will also line up with the timing mark when #6 cylinder is at TDC and you do not want that setting.) Now set the rotor to the #1 tower of the distributor and insert distributor into block. Adjust rotor (not distributor) to mesh with cam gear and then adjust distributor to get the correct timing. Remember to make sure vacuum allows for adjustments to distributor before securing distributor. You can move rotor over one tooth as long as you line up the #1 tower with the #1 wire.

PaMnd

 

Hi Homespun91:

Our manual shows three firing order with the 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 listed for 302, 330, 361, 391, and 460 motors. It also shows the 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 for the 351 W & M, and 400 motors. The 475, 477, and 534 motors use 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 order. Makes life so simple.

PaMnd

 

Firing order for the 401, 477, and 534 engines is: 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Number 1 cylinder is right front (passenger side).