Ford used the 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 firing order, starting with the flathead, up until release of the 351W, when it changed to 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. They later changed the 302, to that FO also and I believe all V8's after that, have the 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 FO.
I'm about to have Howards grind a cam for my Edsel engine. When I had them grind my 302 cams, they recommended the late FO and told me, that most customers order the late FO for ALL SBF's.
So my questions are:
1. Has anyone on this forum built a FE with the late FO and if so, was there any advantage or detriment to it?
2. What are the advantages of the late FO and is there any factual info on why Ford went to it?
I think I red somewhere, that they change the 302 FO for harmonic reason and it improved the longevity of the late blocks.