Dodge 318 Firing Order and Distributor Diagram

How to use this specification correctly

1. 01

   Confirm engine identity from the VIN, emissions label and casting information.

2. 02

   Bring cylinder 1 to compression TDC before disturbing distributor routing.

3. 03

   Label and trace one wire, coil or injector circuit at a time, then verify with misfire data.

Exact 1992 318/5.2L ignition data

The covered Dodge/Ram service data lists a clockwise distributor and firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 for the 318/5.2L SBEC-MPI application. Physical cylinders are odd on the driver/left bank and even on the passenger/right bank, both front to rear.

That application boundary matters because '318' spans carbureted LA engines and electronically managed later versions. The mechanical order is familiar across them, while initial timing, pickup strategy, wiring and emissions controls are not.

Routing the cap after distributor work

Mark the existing rotor and housing positions before removal. If the crankshaft has moved, establish cylinder 1 compression TDC—not merely a zero timing mark—and install the distributor so the rotor aligns with the intended number 1 tower after the drive engages.

Route 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 clockwise on the covered distributor. Move one lead at a time, fully seat every terminal and retain the factory separators. Long parallel wire runs near heat or sharp hardware create faults that can look like a carburetor or injector problem.

Why rotating the distributor is not a universal fix

The covered 1992 specification says base timing is not adjustable. Applying the older habit of loosening and turning the distributor can disturb synchronization without correcting crossed wires or a mechanical problem.

For an earlier carbureted LA engine, use that exact year's timing procedure. For the 1992 application, restore correct indexing and routing, then diagnose with the applicable electronic-engine-control procedure rather than inventing a base-timing adjustment.

Cylinder identification for 1992 Dodge 318/5.2L V8

Driver/left bank is 1-3-5-7 and passenger/right bank is 2-4-6-8, front to rear on the covered application.

The covered SBEC-MPI distributor rotates clockwise and uses 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2; its base timing is not adjusted like an earlier vacuum-advance distributor.