Number 1 cylinder on V8

[marty in Ohio]

We are working on a Ford V8 flathead engine. We have the heads off and a lively discussion was had about the number one cylinder. Is the number 1 in the front on the driver's side or on the passenger side? There is a bet riding on this one. Also we can't find torque specs for the heads and the intake manifold.
Thanks for your help.
Marty

[41Joe]

I believe #1 is on the passenger side at the front.

[48-710]

Marty,the winner is...big drum roll......*PASSENGER*. It's an odd beast in that the leading cyl, that is the first conrod on the crank ,is not the first one in the firing order.
Gary

[Thaplumbr]

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 48-710

Marty,the winner is...big drum roll......*PASSENGER*. It's an odd beast in that the leading cyl, that is the first conrod on the crank ,is not the first one in the firing order.
Gary

Gary, this depends on which side is the passenger side.

To avoid confusion, the #1 cylinder on a flathead Ford engine is always on the right side of the vehicle.

[flatjack9]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Head bolts should be torqued to 45 - 50 ft. lb.

[petehoovie]

Go to this link for torque specs. > http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...rque-specs.htm

[APDAVE]

Passenger bank 1-2-3-4 driver bank 5-6-7-8 in the USA , unlike gm cars! Dave

[chap52]

Originally Posted by APDAVE

Passenger bank 1-2-3-4 driver bank 5-6-7-8 in the USA , unlike gm cars! Dave

It has happened where a person didn't follow the above sequence(front to rear) when placing plug wires on the distributor. Don't ask how I know.

Also your firing order will be:1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

[37 Cab]

Modern Ford`s are still numbered the same. 1 2 3 4 on the right side.

[marty in Ohio]

Thanks guys. We got the engine out tonight and the advice you all gave me will help more than you know. Also, this Van Pelt site has lots of good information.
Thanks again,
Marty

[marty in Ohio]

Oh, and by the way, I won the bet.
Marty

[deuce_roadster]

I believe that the Ford flathead v8 is the outlier in that in almost all instances -- the cylinder farthest forward is #1. I don't know of another v8 engine other then our flathead 8 where #1 isn't the farthest forward. Anyone out there know of another?

[Jack E/NJ]

Kube>>>To avoid confusion, the #1 cylinder on a flathead Ford engine is always on the right side of the vehicle.>>>

To avoid further confusion, which is the right side? And is the #1 cylinder the first cylinder on the right side in the back or the last cylinder on the right side in the front? 8^)

For some reason I can only remember the flathead firing order as 18736542 and the GM-Chrysler firing order 18436572 with the cylinders numbered 1 to 8 front to back as they should be. Except of course some modern GM engines that went to the old flathead firing order for some insignificant reason that really escapes me.

Jack E/NJ

[outlaw]

IMHO; Automotive wise,left or right is always derived from sitting in the drivers seat, not from standing in front of the vehicle looking at it.

[V12Bill]

When I went to wire up my Ford V 8, I used my past experience with Lincoln
V 12s. In the lincoln V 12 the furthest cylinder forward is #1 and that entire bank is odd numbered 1-3-5-7-9-11. I learned quick the the Ford is a different animal.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Kube>>>To avoid confusion, the #1 cylinder on a flathead Ford engine is always on the right side of the vehicle.>>>

For some reason I can only remember the flathead firing order as 18736542

Jack E/NJ

Only problem Jack - that isn't it! LOL

It is 15486372

[Jack E/NJ]

Bored&Stroked>>>It is 15486372 >>>

Yes, with the cylinders numbered 51627384 front to back, 15486372 is then correct. But with the cylinders numbered 12345678 front to back, 18736542 is still correct. 8^) Jack E/NJ

[Straightpipes]

How about a flathead running a 180 degree crank. Order is 18364527. Sounds like 2 four bangers. Lots of fun......

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Kube>>>To avoid confusion, the #1 cylinder on a flathead Ford engine is always on the right side of the vehicle.>>>

To avoid further confusion, which is the right side? And is the #1 cylinder the first cylinder on the right side in the back or the last cylinder on the right side in the front? 8^)

For some reason I can only remember the flathead firing order as 18736542 and the GM-Chrysler firing order 18436572 with the cylinders numbered 1 to 8 front to back as they should be. Except of course some modern GM engines that went to the old flathead firing order for some insignificant reason that really escapes me.

Jack E/NJ

The side of a car is determined by how you, the driver, would have it when sitting in the vehicle. THAT industry standard avoids all confusion whether the car was destined for domestic or non-domestic use.