Number one cylinder?

[balsaboy]

I'm just now trying to get my WC12 running. The manual says number one one cylinder is to the left of the serial number. For some reason mine is unreadable, if it even exists at all. I can't see any stampings on the blocks serial number location.

Can any one confirm that Number one cylinder is the first cylinder in the front of the engine. Thanks in advance.

[MoparFreak69]

Yes, #1 is the first cylinder. It is closest to the radiator and the front of the vehicle. #1 is always the closest to the front pulley, so if you come across a transversely mounted engine that is the easiest way to find out which one is which.

The only exception to the rule that I know of is Ford V8s (from flatheads clear up to at least the last of the pushrod engines). They like to start on one side (believe its drivers side) and number from front to back, then move to the other bank and number that from front to back, instead of moving from closest cylinder being one, next closest is 2 and so on like everybody else does. Strange lot Ford is though.

[balsaboy]

Thanks, I'm wanting to make sure that the firing order also corresponds
with the location of the front cylinder. This thing hasn't
run in quite a while, I'm guessing maybe 15 years. I put some gas in
the number one cylinder and got a pop and backfire out the exhaust.
Since I pulled the distributor to clean the engine I might have it off
a little. The engine seems to have little compression, but I imagine the
rings are probably frozen a bit and will loosen up after- or if - I get it
running. Thanks for the assist and any other suggestions are appreciated.

[Blisters]

I would like to suggest that you clean around each spark plug, remove it, and pour at least one tablespoon of engine oil into each hole. This will lubricate the DRY rings and help avoid further damage. It will also help improve compression. Also, before actually firing it, I would suggest cranking the engine with the sparkplugs removed until the engine oil pressure at least gets up to 5 psi.

Good luck!

-Ken J

[balsaboy]

truck running

I just wanted to say thanks to all. Despite my best efforts to screw everything up, the old girl started up and is running. Thanks again for
all the help.