Dodges for Dummies - another dumb question

[BulldogTom]

OK, I had my son doing some work on the truck while I was at work and I asked him to label the plug wires to the cap then replace the cap and wires. When I got back to him, he says "I think I got them marked correctly". Well, the truck don't start and I am not sure we have the wires on the cap correctly.

Can any of you give me the firing order for my engine and how do I figure out which connection on the cap is the number one cylinder? Also, what is the gap on the points and the plugs. It is a 218.

Sorry for the stupid question. I need a Dodge trucks for dummies book.

And as an update, replaced the fuel pump, rebuilt the starter, had the radiator cleaned, pulled the oil pan and cleaned it out, replaced the plugs, wires and condensor. REplaced the battery too. All wiring is replaced. Turns over fine, just won't start. Got a backfire and that was it. I have spark at the points.

Tom

Lodi, CA

Edited July 12, 2010 by BulldogTom

[Reg Evans]

To find #1 cylinder on the power stroke remove the spark plug and put your finger over the hole while you have someone else turn the engine over using the fand belt. When the compression starts to build look at the timing marks and turn it to TDC. Now remove the dist. cap and find where the rotor is pointing. That will be #1. Install the plug wires in a clockwise manner. 1 5 3 6 2 4. Set the points at 20 and the plugs to 35.

[BulldogTom]

Thanks Reg

[Jerry Roberts]

Tom , The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 . Sometimes people get the spark plug wires off by one terminal and need to unplug each one and move it one space . There is a small plug in the cylinder head above the number 6 piston , pull the small pipe plug and you can feel with a rod when the piston is at the top of the stroke . The pistons number 6 and number 1 come up at the same time , one will be on the exhaust stroke and the other will be on the compression stroke . Another common problem is getting the distributor off by 180 degrees as the distributor will go in two ways . You might have to pull out the distributor and give the shaft half a turn and put it back in . Others have said that you can tell when your piston is on the compression stroke by placing your thumb over the spark plug hole and the pressure will push your thumb off from the hole when the engine is turned over . Jerry in Stockton Ca . edit ; I see Reg beat me to it .

Edited July 12, 2010 by Jerry Roberts

[Jerry Roberts]

Tom , I am not an expert , but I live close by and can probably get it going if you have tried everything . Let me know if you need some help . Jerry Roberts

[BulldogTom]

I might take you up on that one. We are going to fart around with it tonight and see what we come up with. I will get back to you if I need some help.

Thanks for the offer.

Tom

Lodi, CA

[Jerry Roberts]

Tom , Others have reported that they have had to push real hard on their new plug wires to get them to make contact in the distributor cap .