The Chevy 305 firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, and the distributor rotates clockwise. GM’s factory firing order diagram for the 1994 G20 van with the 5.0L V8 shows that order, with cylinder 1 at the front of the driver-side bank.

The 305 is a member of Chevrolet’s small-block V8 family. It shares its firing order and cylinder numbering with the Chevy 350 (5.7L), so if you have worked on a 350, the plug wire routing will look the same.

Chevy 305 firing order

The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. It is the same order as the small-block 350, so the Chevy 5.0 and 305 searches lead to the same sequence.

Later GM V8s are different. The LS-based engines, such as the Chevy 5.3L, use 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3, per GM’s 2004 Avalanche 5.3L service information, so check which engine you have before you route the wires.

Chevy 305 distributor cap and plug wire order

The distributor turns clockwise. Find the cap terminal for cylinder 1, then work clockwise around the cap in firing order: 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7 and 2.

If you are not sure which terminal is number 1, bring cylinder 1 up to top dead center on its compression stroke. The rotor will point at the number 1 terminal. Replace wires one at a time so the order never gets lost.

Chevy 305 cylinder numbers and layout

The 305 has two banks of four cylinders. Cylinders 1, 3, 5, and 7 are on the driver’s side, front to back, and cylinders 2, 4, 6, and 8 are on the passenger’s side, front to back.

Chevy 305 vehicle applications

GM used the 305 for many years in cars, trucks and vans. Two common versions were:

  • LG4: Camaro (1982 to 1987), Caprice (1983 to 1988), El Camino (1983 to 1987), Impala (1983 to 1985), Malibu (1983) and Monte Carlo (1983 to 1988), per the RPO Archive LG4 listing
  • L03: Camaro (1988 to 1992), Caprice (1989 to 1991), C/K pickup (1987 to 1995), Chevy Van (1987 to 1995) and Suburban (1987), per the RPO Archive L03 listing

Our take

For any Chevy 305 with a distributor, the order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, the cap turns clockwise, and cylinder 1 is at the front on the driver’s side. Find the number 1 terminal before you pull any wires.