Chevy 350 Firing Order and Cylinder Numbering
Chevy 350 firing order diagram, cylinder numbering, HEI distributor direction, and step-by-step plug-wire routing for the small-block 5.7L V8.
The Chevrolet small-block 350 firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Cylinders 1-3-5-7 are on the driver side and 2-4-6-8 are on the passenger side, numbered front to rear. A conventional HEI distributor rotor turns clockwise when viewed from above.
A crossed pair of plug wires can make a Chevy 350 pop through the carburetor, misfire under load, or refuse to start. The sequence itself is simple, but the cylinder banks and distributor indexing are where mistakes happen.
Use the diagram and table together. First locate compression top dead center on cylinder 1, identify the cap terminal directly above the rotor, and then route the remaining wires clockwise in the 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 order.
Interactive Chevy 350 firing-order diagram
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Select a cylinder to follow the firing sequence. The front of the engine is at the top.
Chevy 350 Firing Order
| APPLICATION / ITEM | SPECIFICATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Firing order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 | Standard Gen I Chevy small-block V8 |
| Driver-side bank | 1-3-5-7 | Front to rear |
| Passenger-side bank | 2-4-6-8 | Front to rear |
| HEI rotor direction | Clockwise | Viewed from above |
This firing order is documented by Chevrolet Performance for the 350/290 and Ram Jet 350. Distributor terminal position is not universal because the distributor can be installed in more than one indexed position; identify the actual No. 1 terminal before routing wires.
How to use this specification correctly
- 01
Disable the ignition and rotate the engine until cylinder 1 is at top dead center on its compression stroke.
- 02
Remove the distributor cap and note the terminal at which the rotor points. That physical terminal is No. 1 for the current installation.
- 03
Connect No. 1 to the front cylinder on the driver-side bank.
- 04
Move clockwise around the cap and connect 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, then 2.
- 05
Keep wires separated from exhaust heat and avoid long parallel runs between cylinders 5 and 7, which fire consecutively.
- 06
Refit the cap, start the engine, and verify ignition timing with the correct procedure for the exact 350 variant.
How Chevy 350 cylinders are numbered
Standing at the front of the vehicle and looking toward the windshield, the odd-numbered cylinders are on your right—the vehicle's driver side. The even-numbered cylinders are on your left—the passenger side. Both banks count from front to rear.
Why the No. 1 cap terminal may look different
Diagrams often show No. 1 in a convenient clock position, but the cap position is not what creates the firing order. The relationship between rotor position and cylinder 1 at compression TDC does. If a previous builder moved the distributor one or more teeth, the engine may still run with No. 1 in a different cap position.
- Do not copy a clock position without checking the rotor.
- Do not confuse compression TDC with exhaust TDC.
- Route each wire from cap to cylinder before moving to the next terminal.
Common symptoms of incorrect routing
- Cranking with no start
- Popping through the carburetor or exhaust
- Severe vibration or dead cylinders
- Low manifold vacuum
- Timing light reading that cannot be stabilized
Chevrolet 350 Small-Block (5.7L V8) specifications can change by model year, engine, platform, wheel, and installed component. Confirm the VIN or engine identity, part numbers, fastener condition, and the current manufacturer instructions before service.
Chevy 350 Firing Order and Cylinder Numbering FAQs
What is the firing order on a Chevy 350?+
The standard Gen I Chevrolet 350 small-block firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
Which side is cylinder 1 on a Chevy 350?+
Cylinder 1 is the front cylinder on the driver-side bank. The driver side is numbered 1-3-5-7 from front to rear.
Which direction does a Chevy HEI distributor turn?+
A conventional Chevrolet small-block HEI distributor rotor turns clockwise when viewed from above.
Where is the No. 1 terminal on the distributor cap?+
There is no safe universal clock position. Bring cylinder 1 to compression TDC and use the terminal directly above the rotor as the installed No. 1 position.
Is the Chevy 350 firing order the same as an LS1?+
No. The traditional Gen I 350 uses 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Later LS-family engines use a different firing order and cylinder architecture.
Technical sources
TorqueSheet favors engine- and component-specific manufacturer instructions over unsourced universal values.
1Chevrolet Performance 350/290 Long Block guide (P/N 19172591)Primary Chevrolet Performance guide for the pre-1986-style 350/290 long block.↗2Chevrolet Performance Ram Jet 350 guide (P/N 19417619)Primary Chevrolet Performance installation and calibration guide for Ram Jet 350 engines.↗