Getting the Ford 302 firing order correct is one of the most fundamental—and often confused—tasks when working on a Small Block Ford (SBF) V8 engine. As of late 2025, the critical distinction remains between the two primary firing sequences that have existed since the engine’s inception: the original Standard 302 sequence and the later High Output (HO) sequence. This seemingly small detail is the difference between a smooth-running engine and a frustrating misfire, especially when performing a camshaft swap or an ignition system upgrade. This in-depth guide will clarify the two distinct firing orders for the legendary Ford 302 (5.0L), explain why the change occurred, and provide the essential cylinder numbering and distributor rotation details you need to get your engine running perfectly, whether you own an early classic or a late-model Fox Body Mustang.

The Two Critical Ford 302 Firing Orders Explained

The biggest source of confusion for mechanics and enthusiasts is the fact that the Ford 302 V8, which later became known as the 5.0L, uses two completely different firing orders depending on the engine's vintage and application. If you mix these up, your engine will run extremely rough, as cylinders will be firing completely out of sequence.

Standard (Non-HO) Ford 302 Firing Order

This is the original firing order used on the vast majority of Ford 302 V8 engines from its debut in 1967 up through the late 1970s, and it continued in many non-HO applications well into the 1980s. * Standard 302 Firing Order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 This sequence was standard for the 221, 260, 289, and early 302 cubic inch displacement (CID) engines. If you are working on a classic Ford truck, an early Falcon, or a non-performance-oriented 302 from the 1970s, this is the sequence you will almost certainly use.

High Output (HO) Ford 302 Firing Order (5.0L HO)

Starting in the early 1980s, primarily with the resurgence of the Mustang, Ford introduced the High Output (HO) version of the 302 (or 5.0L). This engine adopted the firing order of its larger sibling, the 351W (Windsor). * HO 302 / 5.0L Firing Order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 This specific sequence is critical for all 1979-1995 Mustang 5.0L HO engines and any performance engine that uses a camshaft ground to the 351W specification. The change was reportedly made by Ford engineers not for performance, but to improve the intake manifold sound quality and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

Why the Firing Order Mismatch is a Common Mistake

The core of the problem lies in engine swaps and performance upgrades. When enthusiasts perform an engine swap or install a new camshaft, they often overlook the firing order specification.

The Camshaft Connection

The firing order is dictated by the grind of the camshaft. The camshaft lobes are timed to open the intake and exhaust valves at the precise moment the spark plug fires. If you install a modern 5.0L HO camshaft (351W firing order) into an older 302 block but wire the distributor using the old 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 sequence, your engine will experience a severe misfire. The engine will crank and potentially idle very roughly, but it will be completely undrivable. This is a classic "engine swap gone wrong" scenario. * Rule of Thumb: Match the ignition wiring to the camshaft's firing sequence, not necessarily the year of the block. If the cam is a "351W-style" cam, use the HO firing order (1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8).

EFI and TFI Distributor Considerations

Later 5.0L engines used Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and a TFI (Thick Film Ignition) distributor, which introduced another layer of complexity. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is programmed to fire the injectors and spark plugs in the correct sequence. If you install an HO engine (or cam) but use a PCM programmed for the older firing order, the timing and fuel delivery will be incorrect. For any performance build or engine swap, always verify the following: 1. Camshaft Specification: Does the cam use the Standard or the HO/351W sequence? 2. Ignition Wiring: Is the distributor cap wired to match the cam's sequence? 3. ECU/PCM Tune (for EFI): Is the computer programmed for the correct sequence?

Essential Ford 302 Cylinder Numbering and Rotation

To successfully wire your distributor cap, you must first know how Ford numbers its cylinders and which way the distributor rotor turns. This information is universal for the Small Block Ford family (289, 302, 5.0L, 351W).

Cylinder Numbering Layout

The Ford V8 uses a front-to-back numbering scheme, with the odd-numbered cylinders on the driver's side and the even-numbered cylinders on the passenger's side. * Driver's Side (Left Bank): Cylinders 5, 6, 7, 8 (from front to rear) * Passenger's Side (Right Bank): Cylinders 1, 2, 3, 4 (from front to rear) * Front of Engine: Cylinder 1 is the front-most cylinder on the passenger side. | Bank | Front (Timing Cover) | | | Rear (Flywheel) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Passenger Side (Right) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | Driver Side (Left) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Distributor Rotation

The distributor in a Ford 302 engine rotates in a specific direction, which is critical for correctly following the firing order around the cap. * Distributor Rotation: Counterclockwise (when viewed from above). To begin the wiring process, you must first locate the position of cylinder #1 on your distributor cap when the engine is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the compression stroke for cylinder #1. From there, you follow the chosen firing order (Standard or HO) in a counterclockwise direction around the cap.

The Final Check: Standard vs. HO Firing Order Summary

Before you button up your ignition system, use this quick reference to confirm your wiring. This simple check will save you hours of frustrating troubleshooting and ensure your Ford 302 V8 runs as intended. | Engine Type/Application | Firing Order Sequence | Common Camshaft | Years | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Standard/Non-HO 302 | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 | Standard 302 Cam | 1967-1978 (and later non-HO) | | HO 302 / 5.0L HO | 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 | 351W Cam | 1979-1995 (Mustang, Performance) | Always remember that the most common error is using the Standard wiring on an engine with an HO camshaft. If your 5.0L V8 is a performance build or came out of a Fox Body or SN95 Mustang, you are almost certainly using the 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 sequence. Confirming this detail is the single most important step for a successful ignition setup.