Final answer:
In an eight-cylinder four-stroke diesel engine with the firing order of 1-5-2-6-8-4-7-3, when #1 piston is at TDC and in firing position, #6 piston is on its intake stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given scenario, the student is asking about what stroke the #6 piston is in when the #1 piston is at top dead centre (TDC) and in the firing position. Given the firing order of 1-5-2-6-8-4-7-3, when the #1 piston is firing (#1 position in the firing order), the #6 piston (the 4th position in the firing order) would be in the intake stroke.
Here's why: In a four-stroke engine, the strokes include intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Each cylinder executes these strokes two positions apart in the firing order. So, if #1 piston is in power (firing) position, #6 piston (two positions later in the firing order) would be on its intake stroke.
Learn more about Four-stroke engine cycle