What is Chevy cylinder order?
Chevrolet cylinder order refers to how the engine’s cylinders are numbered and laid out on the block. For most Chevrolet V8s, the left (driver) bank holds cylinders 1, 3, 5, 7 from front to rear, while the right (passenger) bank holds cylinders 2, 4, 6, 8 from front to rear. The standard ignition sequence (firing order) used by many Chevy V8s is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
What cylinder order means in practice
Understanding cylinder order helps with diagnosing misfires, wiring ignition components, and timing setups. It differentiates between the physical arrangement of cylinders on the block (which cylinder is #1, where the banks are located) and the firing order, which is the sequence in which sparks must occur to power the engine smoothly. Chevys commonly follow a two-bank layout with a specific front-to-back numbering on each bank, paired with a defined firing order to minimize vibration and run smoothly at speed.
Standard Chevrolet V8 cylinder layout
To orient yourself on a typical Chevy V8, note the bank split and the front-to-back cylinder sequence. The following list shows which cylinders belong to each bank and their order from the engine’s front toward the rear.
- Left bank (driver side, front to rear): 1, 3, 5, 7
- Right bank (passenger side, front to rear): 2, 4, 6, 8
Understanding this layout helps you locate a given cylinder on the head or block and cross-check timing marks, spark plug wires, and distributor/coil positions during maintenance or diagnostics.
Chevrolet firing order
The firing order is the sequence in which each cylinder receives a spark. For most Chevrolet V8s, the widely used firing order is as follows:
- 1
- 8
- 4
- 3
- 6
- 5
- 7
- 2
This sequence is designed to balance piston movement and crankshaft rotation, reducing vibration and optimizing power delivery across RPM ranges.
Notes on engine variants
Do all Chevy V8s use the same cylinder order?
Most Chevrolet V8 families—historically including the small-block and many big-blocks—use the 1-3-5-7 left bank and 2-4-6-8 right bank layout, with the same general firing order framework described above. However, certain modern or specialized engines (including some LS-family variants) may present differences in exact numbering or coil arrangement due to redesigned ignition systems or accessory drives. Always verify with the specific engine’s service manual or a factory-referenced diagram for your vehicle’s year and model.
How to verify for your engine
Quick checks you can perform
A few practical steps can help you confirm the cylinder order on your Chevy engine without guessing:
- Consult the factory service manual or an official wiring diagram for your exact engine code.
- Inspect the front-of-block indication marks (timing cover area) to confirm which cylinder is #1.
- Trace spark plug wires or coil packs to confirm the sequence matches the firing order for your model.
Verifying these details is essential when setting timing, diagnosing misfires, or replacing ignition components, and it reduces the risk of wiring mistakes during reassembly.
Summary
Chevrolet typically numbers V8 cylinders with 1-3-5-7 on the driver side and 2-4-6-8 on the passenger side, front-to-back on each bank. The common firing order across many Chevy V8s is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, a sequence chosen to balance the engine’s forces and maintain smooth operation. Always check the exact engine’s manual for any model-specific variations, especially for LS and other modern families, to ensure accuracy when diagnosing or rebuilding.
What firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2?
The firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 is a common sequence for many V8 engines, particularly Chevrolet, AMC, Buick, and Chrysler models, designed to ensure engine balance and reduce vibration. This order dictates the sequence in which the cylinders fire, and for many V8 engines, the distributor rotates clockwise with this firing order.
You can watch this video to learn about the 4/7 firing order swap in camshafts: 57sDavid FreiburgerYouTube · Jan 22, 2020
How it works
- Sequence of ignition: The firing order is the sequence of which cylinders ignite one after another.
- Engine balance: This specific order is used to distribute the power strokes evenly across the crankshaft, which helps to prevent excessive vibration and stress on the engine.
- Manufacturer variations: While 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 is a very common firing order for many V8 engines, other manufacturers use different sequences. For example, most Ford V8s use a 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 order, and some modern GM LS engines use 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3, notes this OnAllCylinders article.
This video explains the V8 firing order and cylinder numbering: 59sBad Influence GarageYouTube · Jan 4, 2021
Which cylinder is number 3 on a 5.3 Chevy?
Cylinder Arrangement: For Chevrolet V8 engines, cylinders are numbered with odd numbers on the left (driver's side) bank and even numbers on the right (passenger's side) bank. Specifically, cylinders 1, 3, 5, and 7 are on the left, and cylinders 2, 4, 6, and 8 are on the right.
How are Chevy cylinders numbered?
Side you have cylinders. 2 4 6 and 8 with the number two being at the front.
Which cylinder is number 1 on a Chevy 350?
On a Chevy 350 V8 engine, the #1 cylinder is the frontmost cylinder on the driver's side. To find it, look at the engine from the front; the bank of cylinders on the left (driver's side) will have odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7), with #1 being the one closest to the front.
This video explains the cylinder locations and firing order on a Chevy 350 engine: 58sWirelesSHackYouTube · Sep 30, 2024
How to locate cylinder #1
- From the front of the engine: Identify the bank of cylinders on the driver's side (the left side when facing the engine from the front). This is bank #1.
- Find the front cylinder: Within that bank, the cylinder closest to the front of the vehicle is cylinder #1.
- Alternative method: The #1 cylinder is on the side of the engine that is further forward (the side with the belts).
Why knowing cylinder #1 is important
- Spark plug and wire routing: Knowing the #1 cylinder is crucial for correctly connecting the spark plug wires according to the firing order.
- Distributor cap alignment: The #1 terminal on the distributor cap is a reference point for setting ignition timing.
- Engine diagnostics: Correctly identifying the #1 cylinder is essential for troubleshooting and making adjustments to the engine, as misfiring or incorrect timing can be caused by improper spark plug wiring.
You can watch this video to learn how to find the number one cylinder using the timing marks: 42sSam’s TrucksYouTube · May 27, 2021
