Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

NOT YOUR AVERAGE FIRING ORDER?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 05:06 PM
  #1  
Scotty150custom's Avatar
Scotty150custom
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
NOT YOUR AVERAGE FIRING ORDER?

Hello. Just joined the site.
Recently bought a 78 F150 4x4 (my first)😃 Now about the truck
78 f150 4x4

351w motor ( obviously someone has swapped it)

So the truck runs and drives( not good). I did a full tune up and i noticed the firing order was... 1 6 5 4 7 2 3 8...? So i switched to the 351w order and nothing. So i then tried the 302 order and nothing. Switch it back to the 1 6 5 4 7 2 3 8 and fires up and runs just not good. Vary rich and a slight miss as its ideling. So i decided to just time it correctly but no dice..still cant get the distributor out. So does anyone have any idea what is going on with this firing order? Any help would be greatly appreciate. Im just trying to figure out my first good step but with all this im thinking pulling it and rebuilding it would be the best....advice?
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 05:22 PM
  #2  
co425's Avatar
co425
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 32
Are you sure that the distributor is not 180* out?
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 05:30 PM
  #3  
Scotty150custom's Avatar
Scotty150custom
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Im sure it might be but ive been unable to do to the distributor being stuck. I was just wondering where and how the original owner got that firing order from?
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 05:32 PM
  #4  
Scotty150custom's Avatar
Scotty150custom
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Before all this when i had the #1 cylinder at TDC the rotor was pointing toward the front of the truck so thats why i wanted to pull it and found the battle im in trying to get the distributor out.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 06:12 PM
  #5  
dlburch's Avatar
dlburch
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,311
Likes: 367
From: Kansas
is that the firing order cast into the intake manifold or that is just based on how the wires were routed?
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 06:13 PM
  #6  
Justin Jones's Avatar
Justin Jones
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
Welcome to FTE!

Are you trying both 13726548 (351w) and 15426378 (302)? As well as going counter clockwise? From pictures it looks like number 1 is about where 1 o'clock is. Yours may vary. Just remember TDC will be twice for every turn of the cam/distributor.


Not my picture, just off of the internet.

 

Last edited by Justin Jones; Mar 30, 2016 at 01:40 PM. Reason: Didn't want to take credit for the picture.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 08:49 PM
  #7  
54Hydro's Avatar
54Hydro
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 920
Likes: 20
From: Malheur Co. OR
Find your timing mark on the balancer, assuming it hasn't slipped. Take a compression gauge and put it in cyl. 1. Bump the starter until the gauge starts to read. Remove the gauge and rotate the engine until the timing mark shows 0* TDC. Look at your rotor to see where it is pointing and set the firing order from that point as #1 regardless of what the cap or pictures say. If your distributor is stuck the easiest way to remove it is with a slide hammer and a wide fork to grip the wide part of the casting.
 
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 10:01 PM
  #8  
Scotty150custom's Avatar
Scotty150custom
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
dlburch, that is the firing order that was on the truck when i got it and the only one the truck will run off

Justin Jones, thanks! Yes i know its counter clock wise and yes I've tried both of those orders and she doesnt like it.

54Hydro, I pulled the oil pan to replace main seals and inspected the timing chain and it has quite a bit of play so im sure it has slipped and i know i need to replace it and get that distributor out and timmed. I was always told the cam dictates firing order and with that it should be one of 2 Fords order? So how can it be like that? Should i bother fighting distributor and timming or just pull it and take it apart? Thats what im trying to decide since i have no clue what cam is in the block ing...thanks for everything guys
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 29, 2016 | 10:24 PM
  #9  
54Hydro's Avatar
54Hydro
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 920
Likes: 20
From: Malheur Co. OR
Find cyl 1 TDC compression and set the firing order from there, then see how it runs before you do anything drastic. Start simple. People always jump to conclusions when the problem is something small.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 10:52 AM
  #10  
Justin Jones's Avatar
Justin Jones
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
Originally Posted by Scotty150custom
Justin Jones, thanks! Yes i know its counter clock wise and yes I've tried both of those orders and she doesnt like it.

Yes, I was taking a risk in saying that, hopefully you didn't take it the wrong way. I know I've been fooled before and I have to look up a picture to remember


Yes the cam determines the firing order. The only other possibility that I can think of like Hydro said, No. 1 may not be where No. 1 normally is. That may due to so much slack in the chain.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 12:04 PM
  #11  
Scotty150custom's Avatar
Scotty150custom
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Justin Jones
Yes, I was taking a risk in saying that, hopefully you didn't take it the wrong way. I know I've been fooled before and I have to look up a picture to remember
No worries buddy. I did not takenit the wrong way. Hell it be asinine to ask for advice and then take offense to the advice given. Thanks for looking out.

Now and i apologize for this stupid question, would it be wise to put a new timming gear on BEFORE I try Hydro suggestion? (Thinking with a slack chain cyl1 could still slip?)
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 12:17 PM
  #12  
jbehuniak's Avatar
jbehuniak
Elder User
Veteran: Army
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 687
Likes: 4
From: CT
try what hydro said. If it fixes the problem you just saved time and $
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 12:21 PM
  #13  
Justin Jones's Avatar
Justin Jones
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
Yes a distributor with carbed motor doesn't care where no. 1 is honestly. So it's position relative to the cap only matters to get enough advance, being able to turn the distributor, so it doesn't interfere with the water neck.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2016 | 01:20 PM
  #14  
Canus's Avatar
Canus
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Spencer Mountain, NC
Please don't take this the wrong way BUT. Take a close look at Justin's picture showing cylinder numbering. Numbers 1 through 4 ares on the passenger side from front to rear and numbers 5 through 8 are on the drivers side front to rear. If you are used to Chevys their numbering is radically different starting with #1 on the front of the drivers side then #2 at the front on the passengers side and so on. That could explain the weird firing order you describe.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
78workhorse
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
4
Feb 5, 2025 07:37 AM
strokin'_tatsch
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
May 9, 2010 10:22 PM
cotterpin
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
May 27, 2008 09:16 PM
carmen203
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 19, 2001 11:00 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:38 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE