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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Spark plug order on distributer

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Expert: - 7/19/2008


Question
I have a 1960 Chev 235 6 cylinder. Rebuilt 2 months ago. I just put in new points. I started it, and the whole rotor spun around, dislodging the spark plug wires.

The clamp screw was loose, now tightened. How do I find the correct order for the plug wires?


Answer
The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. The trick will be to find which hole is number one. Do do that remove number one spark plug. Hold your thumb over the hole, not in it while some one bumps the engine a little at a time with the starter. Watch for the timing mark in the window just above the starter. When you feel compression pressure on your thumb you should see the timing mark on the flywheel. That should be number one top dead center firing stroke. At this time the rotor inside the distributor should be pointing at the tower in the cap that you will place number one wire in. Then with the cap off crank the engine and see which way the rotor turns. That is the direction to insert the wires.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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