Classic/Antique Car Repair/spark plug wires

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Expert: - 10/8/2011


Question
I replaced my spark plugs and WIRES, and i don't know if i put the rite spark plug WIRE to the rite SPARK PLUG to my 1954 chevy bel air (235 engine strait 6 .. how do i know what wire gos to which spark plug ??? HELP (i know i know).. i should have done 1 by 1) lol this is all new to me...

Answer
Well first off you will need to get the engine to number one cylinder at top dead center firing stroke. To do this take the spark plug out of number one cylinder. The remove the coil wire from the distributor cap. Now with your thumb over not in the number one cylinder spark plug hole have some one bump the engine using the starter. until you feel compression on number one. Then remove the distributor cap and note the rotor position. The distributor cap terminal the is right over the tip of the rotor will be number one. Insert the plug wire from number one cylinder in the hole. Now moving clockwise the order is 53624. The full firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

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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