Ford firing order for the 260/289/early 302 = 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

Ford firing order for the 351W/late 302 = 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

Ford firing order for the FE/429/460 = 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

SBC firing order converted to Ford # = 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

According to some reading I've done on this - the Ford 351W system shows a mathematical and dyno power advantage in a V8- like a couple of percentage points (over the 289/FE version). The big boys in prostock and NASCAR are apparently believers - there are (some) special cams that utilize this scheme available for chebbies and others. Has anyone ever installed this firing order in a Y-block? While the consecutively firing 1 and 2 cylinders makes the Y-block sound we love - a cam with lots of ovelap will do much the same thing. Is there power to be found by making the change? Like more than a couple of percentage points? I'm sure the Y set-up is probably an antique - what do you suppose we are losing? Are there cam blanks available to do this sort of thing (or is it billet only)?

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona