Cheat Sheet: Quick Guide to Engine Firing Orders

Do small, simple projects become extremely large and a little out of your league when it comes to your ride?

Has a simple distributor cap and rotor change quickly turned ugly? Has your once well-mannered carburetor suddenly become a smoke-puffing, gas spitting-monster?

Sometimes it’s helpful to have a cheat sheet in hand to help you navigate projects–big or small. For example, let’s say you’ve just installed a new cap and rotor kit on your carbureted V8, changed the spark plugs, and are ready to install a set of new wires.

But which wire goes where?

We’ve put together this V8 engine firing order and rotation (where applicable) cheat sheet for just such an occasion:

• AMC (most V8 engines): Clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
• Buick (most V8 except HEI): Clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
• Chevrolet: Clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
• GM LS: 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
• Small Chrysler: Clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
• Big Chrysler and Hemi: Counter-clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
• Most Ford V8: Counter-clockwise 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
• Ford (5.0L HO, 351W, 351M, 351C, 400): Counter-clockwise 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
• Most Ford modular (4.6/5.4L): 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
• Ford 5.0L Coyote: 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
• Oldsmobile (1967 and up): Counter-clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
• Pontiac (most 1955-81 V8 engines): Counter-clockwise 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 (Note: 307 Pontiac V8 engine rotates clockwise)

It’s important to remember that the numbering conventions for  engine cylinders differs by manufacturer. Use this Guide to Engine Cylinders to determine the number of your engine cylinders.

Happy wrenching!