Classic/Antique Car Repair/Firing Mechanism

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Expert: - 11/7/2007


Question
Can you tell me the firing order for a 1979 Ford F100 (302)? Can you tell me how the distributor cap relates to the firing order? Thanks!!!!

Answer
The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. The cylinders are number with 1-2-3-4 on the right side of the engine, that is the passengers side and 5-6-7-8 on the left side or drivers side. The distributor rotates counter clockwise so the wires go into the cap counter clock wise once the right hole is found for number 1. Most Ford distributor caps have a mark at the hole for the number one wire. If the distributor has not been out of the engine since the cars was new or it was re installed in the correct position the number one hole in the cap is usually located two holes counter clockwise from the rear snap clip that holds the distributor cap onto the distributor. Good luck, I hope this helps.
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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