172 ci cylinder order

[Dean Plute]

I purchased a 1965 ford 4000 with the 172 CI gas motor. Prev owner said it needed a tune up (no plug wires and distributor cap on it). Got new plugs points cap rotor and wires. Looking on line saw the firing order 1243. Trying to find if #1 cylinder is at the front or back of the motor, I have seen both on line. Funny thing is when I put all the plug wires in the firing order using number 1 at the back cylinder tractor status and runs fine ( working on an overheating issue now). But if I make #1 cylinder at the front where the radiator is no start. Just confusing and which is right?

 

[Andy Wickiser]

I purchased a 1965 ford 4000 with the 172 CI gas motor. Prev owner said it needed a tune up (no plug wires and distributor cap on it). Got new plugs points cap rotor and wires. Looking on line saw the firing order 1243. Trying to find if #1 cylinder is at the front or back of the motor, I have seen both on line. Funny thing is when I put all the plug wires in the firing order using number 1 at the back cylinder tractor status and runs fine ( working on an overheating issue now). But if I make #1 cylinder at the front where the radiator is no start. Just confusing and which is right?

#1 is at the front, #4 is at the back. In your case wires are in the correct order and distributor rotor is pointing to #4 when #4 is at the top of compression stroke. Nothing wrong with that if it's running right. Below is the procedure to check/set static timimg.

 

[47fivewindow]

Well writen directions by Mr. Wiskiser. If you get the timing right your overheating problem may be gone.

 

[used red MN]

Funny thing is when I put all the plug wires in the firing order using number 1 at the back cylinder tractor status and runs fine ( working on an overheating issue now). But if I make #1 cylinder at the front where the radiator is no start. Just confusing and which is right?

The distributor is driven by a gear that meshes with a gear on the camshaft. So the gear teeth on the distributor can be rotated to any position and be installed anyplace that the teeth will mesh. If the distributor is installed with the engine on TDC of compression for number one cylinder but the distributor rotor installed mistakenly to point to where number 4 plug wire would normally go in the distributor cap the situation that your experiencing is the outcome. Although that is not setup as “factory correct” it runs the engine with no problem as you are finding.