Ford 302 Firing Order [With Diagram]

When a vehicle’s ignition coils are turned on, the firing order is how they do so. This sequence is determined by how spark plug cables go from a distribution cap towards each cylinder and back again in an engine that has a distributor. The distributor cap is the starting point of this route. When the cylinder is at the top dead center TDC, the distributor’s blade should be synchronized with its matching number one #1 spark plug terminal.

This may be checked by removing the distributor cap and looking at the terminals. Plug wire number two should be routed to the next engine spark plug since Ford V8 distributors rotate anti-clockwise. A clockwise rotation of the distributor is required for Ford V6 and straight-6 motors, as well as the 2.0L and 2.3L four-cylinder engines. Ford’s V8 engine is no exception.

On the majority of Ford motors, the cylinder labeled “1” is the first cylinder located at the front of the engine on the right-hand side of the passenger compartment of a vehicle with rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive vehicles and vans with transversely installed V6 engines have the #1 cylinder located on the right side of the passenger compartment on the back rear of the engine.

Ford 302 firing order 2024

  • 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8.

Explanation of ford 302 firing order

Ford v8 firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. If the sequence of spark plug firing or fuel injection is done correctly, you should be able to enjoy a comfortable ride. Why? As there will be a significant reduction in the amount of vibration felt across the whole of the engine.

That should give you an idea of how important it is to get the engine to fire in the right sequence. If the firing order is followed properly, the Ford 351W will operate smoothly because it is ignited by the appropriate spark plugs.

Therefore, you will know that the engine is firing in the right sequence if the engine is operating without any problems when the plug wires are disconnected, such as when spark plugs are being replaced. In addition, it is important to mark the wires before removing them from the spark plugs to guarantee that they will remain in the correct firing order. Referring to the wire labels will allow you to fix the issue even if you rearrange them in an erroneous order after you’ve moved them around.

How the spark plugs light up determines the firing sequence of the cylinders in a gasoline engine. It is the sequence in which the fuel is pumped into each cylinder of diesel engines, and its name relates to the sequence. Ford Motor Company ensures that every engine it manufactures has a certain firing sequence.

Accordingly, for the 1972 ford 302 firing order which is also 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8, it means that the cylinder with the digit 1 starts the cycle followed by cylinders 5 and 4. This cycle ends at cylinder 8. Ford 302 firing order diagram is an excellent visual representation of this process giving an inner look to understand the working.

This firing order applies to:

  • Ford 289
  • Ford 390
  • Ford 427
  • Ford 428
  • Ford 460

Torque specifications

Fastener TypeTorque Specs
Main Cap Bolts60-70 ft.-lbs.
Connecting Rod Bolts22-25 ft.-lbs. (40-45 ft.-lbs. for 289TP and Boss 302)
Cylinder Head Bolts65-72 ft.-lbs.
Rocker Arms17-23 ft.-lbs.
Intake Manifold Bolts23-25 ft.-lbs.
Oil Pump Bolt23-28 ft.-lbs.
Cam Bolts40-45 ft.-lbs.
Cam Thrust Plate Bolts8-10 ft.-lbs.
Harmonic Damper Bolt70-90 ft.-lbs.
Flywheel/Flexplate Bolts75-85 ft.-lbs.
Pressure Plate Bolts35 ft.-lbs.
Front Cover Bolts12-15 ft.-lbs.

Try Firing Order of 4 Cylinder Engine

Firing orders for similar vehicles

  • Ford small block 221/255/260/289/302  1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
  • Ford FE engine 352/360/390/406/410/427/428  1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
  • Ford 385 series  1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
  • Big Block 429/460  1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

Small block and big block Ford 302 cylinder numbers

This specific sequence is necessary to identify the cylinder after the vehicle has been released from the manufacturing facility. (289, 302, 390, 427, 428, 460)

Why did Ford change the firing order on the 5.0L 302 HO engine?

The ignition sequence has been altered in more recent iterations of the Ford 302 engine. This order appeared in the previous ones as 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. To increase the sound quality of the intake manifold, the firing sequence of the new Ford 5.0 firing order has been modified to 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. This was done by the engineers at Ford Motor Company.

The installation of a cold air intake system and a pair of chambered mufflers may significantly improve the sound produced by a Ford 5.0L H.O. engine, which already produces a distinctive noise. The ford 4.6 firing order is also modified to 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

How Are Ford Cylinders Numbered?

Each of the four sides of the cylinders has a representation of the Ford Motor Company. The real left-hand side of your engine will show you which cylinders are your two best, which cylinders are your two worst, which cylinders are your third worst, and which cylinder is your fourth-best.

Try 327 Firing Order

Does NEW vs OLD 302 firing order matter?

The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 for early 221-302 and early 5.0 engines. Additionally, it is in this sequence that the cylinders are topped up. This is the firing sequence for all cams with the prefix “31,” and it is the cam that is used as the standard replacement for all early engines.

The firing order of the later 5.0 engine as well as the 351 engines are planned to go as follows: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. This is the firing sequence for all cams with the prefix “35,” and any cams that are ordered for these engines should utilize this prefix for the cams. The cams are identical to one another, the only difference being the firing sequence.

Cams like this may be interchanged as long as the distributor’s spark plug wiring is modified appropriately. It contributes to a more uniform distribution and improves the overall “balance” across the engine’s core. When it comes to engines with greater revs, horsepower, and torque, switching up the firing sequence may unquestionably be beneficial.

The technology has shown that it is a superior firing order than the original 60s specifications, which is why the more recent 302 Builds employ it.

Why does the firing order of ford 302 matter?

It is essential to get the firing sequence of an engine just right so that the system is subjected to the least amount of vibrations possible. The transmission of engine vibrations should be kept to a minimum in vehicles so that the ride may be as smooth as possible and so that the driver and passengers do not feel the vibrations that are being communicated by the engine.

In addition, performance may be increased by using specialized firing order camshafts. These camshafts enable the builder of a performance engine to construct an engine that operates more smoothly, has better fuel distribution and has greater crankshaft and main bearing longevity.

Try 6 Cylinder Engine Firing Order

ford 289 and 302 v8 firing order animation

Jake Mayock