Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

how are cylinders numbered?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 6, 1999 | 11:26 AM
  #1  
nissanjon's Avatar
nissanjon
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
how are cylinders numbered?

hi guys, i'm new to this, so bear with me. i have an 87 f150 with a 302. i just changed the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. the engine was running decently up until i changed these things. once i changed them, there was a very noticeable loss of power and it even started backfiring. i probably just crossed some wires to the cap (at least i hope). my question is, how do i know which cylinder is which (#'s 1 through 8) for the proper firing order? I tried several different ways. one way would not allow me to start the motor. another way fired the motor right up. i had much more power, but then it quickly went away, and started putting around again. please tell me, which cylinder is number 1, 2, etc. also, why else might i be losing this much power? thanks in advance....
 
Reply
Old Jul 6, 1999 | 12:27 PM
  #2  
Phillip Guidry's Avatar
Phillip Guidry
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
how are cylinders numbered?

The cyl.'s on the passenger side are numbered 1 thru 4,while the drivers side is numbered 5 thru 8. the rotor turns in a CCW direction. It's to hard to explain where the #1 terminal is on the cap if yours is not marked. The fire order for the 5.0L 302 non HO is:1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. As far as power goes,change your fuel filter,scrub the bores of the throttle body with a barrel brush and carb cleaner,remove the idle air solenoid {2 small phillips screws}and clean the valve by depressing it and clean with carb cleaner. This ought to get you there!
Phillip
 
Reply
Old Jul 6, 1999 | 02:24 PM
  #3  
nissanjon's Avatar
nissanjon
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
how are cylinders numbered?

thanks. i already have the proper firing order, the #1 terminal on the cap, and the fact that it is CCW. right now, i already have the plugs wired as you have stated (passenger side = 1-4, driver's side = 5-8), assuming that the #1 cylinder is closest to the front of the truck, not the back. I am also assuming that the # 5 cylinder is also closest to the front of the truck (see my poor example below). am i correct in assuming that the numbers 1 and 5 cylinders are towards the front of the truck? also, my sudden loss of power happened right after i attempted to change my plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. is my power loss likely to be from an improper installation? it seems too coincedental to me to lose that much power right after a plug/wire change. any other suggestions? again, thanks in advance. your input is greatly appreciated.

truck bed


truck cab

4 8
3 7
2 6 cylinders
1 5

front of truck
 
Reply
Old Jul 6, 1999 | 02:44 PM
  #4  
Phillip Guidry's Avatar
Phillip Guidry
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
how are cylinders numbered?

I,m wondering if there is one or more plugs that may have cracked insulators,either right out the box are during installation.I have also seen plug wires that were not finished correctly at the factory. By that I mean the terminal was crimped on to the wire,but the wire was never stripped back and folded over,under the terminal causing the spark to have to jump to the plug or cap.I have also seen a distributor cap come with no carbon brush for the rotor arm to rub on ! Always expect the worst to happen!
Phillip
 
Reply
Old Jul 6, 1999 | 03:00 PM
  #5  
slik's Avatar
slik
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: saramento usa
how are cylinders numbered?

Also, make sure you have a lot of separation between the plug wires so that they do not cross fire. This could cause the misfires and lack of power. Are your plugs gapped correctly? Do you have a vacuum advance and is it hooked up? Does your coil have enough juice??? Is your cap tight?? Did you replace your coil wire? Some dielectric goop in the plug boots may help to insure a better connection also.

Slik
 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 1999 | 10:51 AM
  #6  
nissanjon's Avatar
nissanjon
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
how are cylinders numbered?

the cap and plugs see to be fine.

the plugs were supposedly gapped correctly, i will verify after work. don't know the first thing about a vacuum advance. if it's easy to explain, feel free. otherwise, just tell me to look it up. how much is a new coil? it didn't look too pretty, but it didn't look all that bad either.

slik, you asked if my cap was tight. it does kind of wobble a little. it is definitely clipped in properly, though. could that be it? perhaps i got a factory defect.

oh yeah, i also used some of that goop.

phillip, thanks for the advice. i will try what you recommend later this week.

thanks guys. any more tips are always welcome.


 
Reply
Old Jul 7, 1999 | 11:52 AM
  #7  
Ryan M.
Guest
Posts: n/a
how are cylinders numbered?

 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:54 AM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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 | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE