Firing Order, Rotation, Setting Timing on Cadillac 390??

I'm at the point where I need to set the timing on my engine. I need to know the firing order, how the cylinders are numbered, and distributor rotation direction.

This is for a '59-'62 Cadillac 390.

Thanks a bunch for any and all help, tips and/or tricks!!

 

,,from MOTOR"S,,counter clockwise,,,FO,18436572,,,# 1 in dist. is at 1 o'clock looking from the front over the rad', ,,hop-scotch fireing order with #1 at DS front, #8 at PS rear, hope that makes sense,,,,

 

Wiki answers says:
"clockwise 1 8 7 2 6 5 4 3 drivers side bank, front to rear, 1 3 5 7 pass side bank, front to rear, 2 4 6 8
and 5* BTDC"
But I honestly don't have a clue if that is correct... hope it is.
Edit.... I would trust the Motors info above then, ANYDAY over Wiki answers.

 

Here are some pictures and timing specs.

Don

 

Thanks guys! Especially Don!!! I'm a picture kind of guy. That helps out a ton!!!

 

18436572. forever burned into my memory. DS bank from front to back 1357, PS 2468. have the 57 chilton for reference if you need other specs. getting the timing right is important form what I understand. just a little out will make it run hot. haven't had problems with mine but...

call or pm if you need anthing. I think you've got my number.

 

Thanks!! Are you coming to Goodguys? We (the Iron Lords) are having a little shindig Friday night. Come on down and I'll buy you a beer!

 

One more quick question...

How do I clock/orient the Mallry Magspark distributor?

And thanks again!

 

going to try to come down onf friday. have to work on saturday. will let you know a little closer in.

 

Anybody else with more input?

 

Bump for maybe some West coast night crew help? I need to get this figured out so I can get my timing set correctly tomorrow.

 

I would just set it up in the same orientation as the diagram from the motor manual. A distributor doesn't care where you drop it down, just so the plug wires are installed accordingly. Sometimes you have to move them around from the factory selected position to clear extra carbs, firewalls, etc.

What you will want to do is bring number one cylinder up on it's compression stroke (put your thumb over the plug hole while someone turns the crank clockwise with a rachet and socket. When you feel your thumb getting compression, start watching the damper marks and stop at the tdc mark) Now you can drop the distributor down in where you like it, and choose the one the rotor is pointing at to be number one, and wire accordingly from there.

If you want to move number one on the distributor to a different spot, just lift the distributor up, turn the rotor, and set it back down in a new position. Just as long as you make that number one and the rest of the wires inserted in the correct order, it will work fine. That will get you close enough to fire it up, then use a timing light to fine tune to the 5 degrees advance the manual says your 390 should have.

The key is to find number one cylinder tdc on the damper and then you can put the wires in the distributor anywhere you like, as long as you assign the one the rotor is pointing at to be number one plug wire. It is easy to get 180 out of phase, but if you get the pressure blowing your thumb off you will be on the proper compression stroke.

Don

 

Well, I apparantly painted over any timing marks that may have been on the balancer. There are no grooves or notches. How were the timing marks denoted on the balancer on a stock engine?

 

You might be able to find the mark, take out the #1 plug and carefully turn the engine till the piston is at the top. You should be able to see it in the spark plug hole?

Then look very carefully at the damper where the mark would be, there might be an indent in the paint. The marks usually are just a stamped or machined line, it might not be very deep. Might need to do some paint scraping. Damn kids and their fancy shmancy paint jobs....

 

Thanks squirell and pig (lol). That's what I figured I'd do. Sanding some paint off of the balancer will probably help with the timing light too (contrast). I can wiggle it around to find exact tdc.

I've been thinking back and I *think* I vaguely remember a line painted on the balancer in white out. I didn't think about it's importance because the timing hadn't been disturbed at the time.

 

I'll help you with it tonight old buddy, I've been there once or twice

 

Haha! You too? I plan on getting the front clip back on tonight and trying to start it. The coil/transformer may be wrong (may be magneto-only) and may not work with the distributor. If its not right Bubba's gonna send me the right one. But otherwise, the countdown is ON!!!