Where is number one on a 350 chevy?
The number one cylinder on a Chevy 350 small-block is the front-most cylinder on the passenger-side bank of the engine (the side nearest the right fender when you view the car from the front).
Chevrolet’s small-block V8 is organized into two banks: cylinders 1–4 on the passenger side and 5–8 on the driver side. Cylinder 1 sits at the front of the passenger-side bank, adjacent to the timing cover. The standard firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, which starts with that cylinder. Always confirm with your specific model year and manual if you’re unsure, as production details can vary slightly by crate engines or revisions.
Identifying cylinder 1 on a 350 small-block
To locate cylinder 1 on a typical Chevy 350, use these practical steps:
- Determine the two banks: passenger side (cylinders 1–4) and driver side (cylinders 5–8).
- Look at the front of the engine where the timing cover and harmonic balancer are located; the front-most cylinder on the passenger side is cylinder 1.
- Check for any factory stamps or markings near the front of the passenger-side head; some engines have a small “1” cast or stamped nearby.
- If wiring is connected, tracing the spark plug wires from the distributor can help verify the order, but rely on the factory firing order (1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2) for accuracy.
Note: If you’re working on a specific year or crate engine, refer to the official service manual or a trusted diagram for that exact build to confirm cylinder positioning, as there can be minor variations in markings or bank orientation.
Practical implications for maintenance
Knowing the exact location of cylinder 1 is important for tasks such as timing adjustments, setting the firing order, and replacing spark plugs or wires. Before performing work, ensure the ignition is off, the engine is cool, and you’re following the correct procedure for your vehicle’s year and model.
Summary
On a Chevy 350 small-block, cylinder 1 is the front-most cylinder on the passenger-side bank, closest to the timing cover. The banks are numbered 1–4 (passenger side) and 5–8 (driver side), with a firing order of 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. When in doubt, consult the specific factory manual for your year and engine variant to confirm exact positioning and markings.
Where are the numbers on a Chevy 350?
It doesn't really tell us any specifics. For me that's quite a range. And we need to narrow this down a little bit more. So we're going to come back around to the front of the block.
What is the order of the 350 Chevy?
Since its introduction in 1968, the 350s firing order is 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2.
Which cylinder is number 1 on a V8?
Cylinder number one on a V8 is typically the frontmost cylinder on the bank that is slightly forward. The side that cylinder one is on depends on the manufacturer; for example, it's often on the driver's side for GM and Chrysler, but on the passenger's side for Ford. The other cylinders are then numbered sequentially based on either following each bank front-to-back or in a firing order pattern around the crankshaft.
You can watch this video to learn about the cylinder location on a Chevy 350 V8: 30sWirelesSHackYouTube · Sep 30, 2024
General location
- The #1 cylinder is the one closest to the front of the engine.
- One of the cylinder heads will be slightly further forward than the other. The #1 cylinder is on that forward-most bank.
Common manufacturer variations
- GM and Chrysler: The #1 cylinder is often at the front of the driver's side bank.
- Ford: The #1 cylinder is typically at the front of the passenger's side bank.
Cylinder numbering patterns
- Sequential by bank: Some manufacturers number the cylinders in each bank sequentially. For example, cylinders 1-4 on the driver's side and 5-8 on the passenger's side.
- Alternating: Other manufacturers number the cylinders based on the crankshaft, alternating banks. For example, 1-3-5-7 on one bank and 2-4-6-8 on the other.
You can also watch this video to see the cylinder identification on a Ford 4.6L V-8: 36sBarbour's Auto HelpYouTube · Jan 28, 2024
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
