Any ideas? I put new plug wires and a cap and rotor on my 85 TA w/305 TPI. I put the plug wires on according to specs (Chiltons) and when I started it, it was "mixing up the cylinders". I felt the exhaust manifolds, and the drivers side was warm, some or all of them were firing, but the passenger side was cold. Any ideas?

the cylinders are numbered 1-8 starting with the front most cylinder on the drivers side. that is #1. # 2 is the front most cylinder on the pass. side. then it goes back to the drivers side for #3 and repeats the pattern.

the firing order for a chevy V8 is 18436572 i believe...

Yes, thats how I followed it, thats why I am so dumbfounded.

Bump the engine over to TDC with the starter and then pull the distributor cap off and check the position of the rotor. Put the #1 wire on whatever terminal the rotor is pointing to, and work around from there.

Well, I did that too. I took the # 1 plug out and rolled the engine around and had my finger in the plug hole, and let it build up pressure to the point where when I took my finger off the hole, and air blew out of it, then looked at the rotor, and it was right near the #1. That again is why I am dumbfounded. Just a simple cap and rotor change and plug wires has me baffled.

Thanks Vader. Thats the same diagram i had.

If you're positive that you plugged all the wires correctly then I would say one or more of the wires are defective. I had a similar thing happen to me once. Did a tune up on my Formula and it ran worse after it. Put my old plugs back on and the rough idle went away.

Well, I thought about that too. As soon as it warms up here in Nebraska, I will try that. Wont hurt I guess.

ever figure it out. i know it's an old post. my pontiac had a reverse order setup. i set it to the chevy (clockwise) and i was wrong. i then set it to counterclock wise on the cap and it was right.

whoa! i might have what you got sllt... i put it in the chevy way... but it dont start.. ive been runnin around this board looking for answers... so what did you do.. whats your firing order now?

i'm sorry. it was on a car i had years ago. i just remember that i set it up in the same order but the rotor went counterclock wise so start with the same spot on number 1 and go around the cap the opposite way

Crank the engine with the cap off and see what direction the rotor is moving to make sure.

i fixed my problem.. thanks guys.. sllt.. you gave me the idea.. thanks!

glad i could help. you gotta love these boards. i find helpful stuff all the time.