ROTATION VIEWED FROM THE TOP
1950-54, All St. 8...........Counterclockwise
1953-1959, All V-8........Clockwise
DRIVE GEAR
1950-59--Pinned to distributor shaft.
CONDENSER CAPACITY
1950-59...........18-.23 Microfarads
FIRING ORDER AND SPARK PLUG WIRE INSTALLATION
  All Buick In-Line (St. 8) engine cylinders are numbered from front to back with No. 1 cylinder at the front.
  Using this numbering system the FIRING ORDER of the In-Line engines is:1-6-2-5-8-3-7-4. The spark plug wires go into the In-Line distributor cap in the firing order and in a counterclockwise direction.
  All Buick V-8 engine cylinders are numbered from front to back; left bank, 2-4-6-8; right bank, 1-3-5-7. (Comment refers to pre '59 nailheads, although it is accurate for all nailheads. Left bank is driver's side.)
  Using this numbering system the FIRING ORDER of V-8 engine is: 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. The spark plug wires go into the V-8 distributor cap in the firing order and in a clockwise direction.

Note 2: Ignition

TIMING MARKS AND THEIR LOCATION
1950-53, All Yellow mark on flywheel one degree wide at the correct point.
1954-59, All V-8: Yellow mark on crankshaft pulley. The indicator plate on the chain cover has "0" at top dead center and 3 marks at 2 1/2 degree intervals before TDC (2 1/2,5,7 1/2 degrees before top dead center).
TIMING PROCEDURE
Reduce idle speed to 400 RPM. Disconnect and plug vacuum advance line at Vacuum unit. Use timing light to set timing. When timed according to specs reconnect vacuum unit and reset idle speed to specs.
IGNITION RESISTOR
  On all V-8 models there is an ignition ballast resistor connected between the ignition switch and the coil. A contact finger in the starter solenoid by-passes the resistor when the starter is turning the engine. Because of this be sure to ground the primary ignition circuit before using the starter to turn the engine when working under the hood; otherwise the engine may fire.
SPARK PLUGS
Spark Plug Interchange Tables will be found in the general section under the heading:Ignition-Distributor-Tune-up.

Note 3: Compression Pressure

  All cylinders should read alike within 10 lbs. This is more important than the actual reading. Take the reading with: all plugs removed; throttle open; engine at normal operating temperature.

Note 4: Valves
Zero in the Tappet Clearance column indicates hydraulic lifters are standard equipment.

Note 5: Idle Speed
Idle speeds as shown are for engines in good condition and with the transmission in Neutral. The proper idle speed for an engine depends on its condition and also on whether or not it has a Dynaflow transmission. Higher idling speeds are required for engines in poor condition and also for engines used with Dynaflow.