Cylinders 1-2-3-4

[RomanV]

When people talk about engines, they often refer to 'number 3 piston leaning out' for example.

Obviously number 3 could be either of the two middle ones, depending on which way around you look at it.
So my question is.... Is piston 1 at the flywheel end, or piston 4?

[TRD Man]

4

[RomanV]

Thanks.

[Malcolm]

yes, you count from the "front" of the engine. Not so easy on a FWD layout, but imagine the engine in a traditional RWD layout and count from the front

[luvnit]

so what would number 1 be on an east west format, the left or the right

[Jebus]

so what would number 1 be on an east west format, the left or the right

The same as N - S

#1 is at the timing end, #4 at the flywheel end

[fivebob]

so what would number 1 be on an east west format, the left or the right

Depends on which way the motor faces

Start at the accessories end (crank pulley etc) and count to the flywheel end of the motor.

[Skidman]

Piston 1 in all engines (there may be 1 maybe 2 weird ones that i dont know about) is closest to the cam belt/chain,

[Alex B]

Thanks, we hadnt all ready worked that out

[fivebob]

Piston 1 in all engines (there may be 1 maybe 2 weird ones that i dont know about) is closest to the cam belt/chain,

Not always, what about those ones without cam belts or chains, or those that have the cam drive takeoff in the middle of the engine.

[method]

What about a V6 or 8, which one is piston number 1

[fivebob]

What about a V6 or 8, which one is piston number 1

That's easy

For most engines, when viewed from the accessories end, left bank is numbered first, then the right bank. So for a V8 the left bank is 1-2-3-4 and the right bank is 5-6-7-8. However a few manufacturers number the right bank first

Now the real tough one, well tough for those that don't know much about engine history... How do you number the cylinders on a radial engine, or even worse on a piston rotary engine

[Mr Revhead]

you stamp a 1 where you want and call it ONE.

[AJz]

you stamp a 1 where you want and call it ONE.

and where do you work again

[Rob]

In a v6 or 8 the pistons down one side will all be odd numbers and the other will be even