What is the firing order, and which is the number one cylinder and how are they ordered, i.e. down one side then the other or from side to side, for a '55 Buick nailhead? Also where are the timing marks, on the crank pulley or the flywheel?

Thanks in advance.

Hi
The Buick V 8 are quite different from other GM cars. The nailhead # 1 cylinder is on the Right side ( pass) The number one cylinder is always a little offset towards the front of the motor, where as the # 2 cylinder is set back (Opposite side) from the # 1 cyl.
You will fing the firing order either on the intake manifold or the spark plug cover (1953-54-55-56 had the spark plug covers)
As for the timing marks I am not sure. but someone will answer question.

Never let the neighborhood Chebbby mechanic work on your motor, he will have # 1 cyl. firing on # 9 cyl.

Jim Schilf
palbuick@aol.com

Jim is correct on number 1 cylinder location. Your firing order is 12784563. The right bank cylinders are 1-3-5-7 and the left banks are 2-4-6-8

On the Super, the timing mark is located on the damper and you should have a mounted indicator. Set the timing mark on the number 5 indicator marking at 350 RPM.

Rick

Thanks for the firing order, as I do not have sparkplug covers and havn't looked at the manifold yet. Sounds like the cylinders are ordered much like a Dodge V8 a friend had many years ago. I didn't notice a timing idicator at the front, but then I wasn't looking for one at the time.

Did you ever check the firing order on a Ford V8,or a Pontiac V8 ?

I have a ford V8, haven't had a need to look at the firing order. And it's been so long since my first Ford that I forgot what it was. I know Ford and Chevy are different than the Dodge V8, at least the early '70's model that my friend used to have. So I figured that a Buick might be different as well.