Ford 4.6 and 5.4 Triton firing order and cylinder numbers
The Ford 4.6 and 5.4 modular V8 (Triton) fires 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Cylinder 1 is the front cylinder on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank).
Drag to turn the engine, scroll or pinch to zoom. Orange = the cylinder firing now; the numbers on the coils are cylinder numbers. Driver and passenger sides are for left-hand-drive vehicles.
Firing order diagram
Where each cylinder is
| Cylinder | Misfire code | Location | Place in firing order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | P0301 | The front cylinder on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank) | 1st |
| 2 | P0302 | The second cylinder from the front on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank) | 4th |
| 3 | P0303 | The third cylinder from the front on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank) | 2nd |
| 4 | P0304 | The rear cylinder on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank) | 7th |
| 5 | P0305 | The front cylinder on the driver side (bank 2, LH bank) | 6th |
| 6 | P0306 | The second cylinder from the front on the driver side (bank 2, LH bank) | 5th |
| 7 | P0307 | The third cylinder from the front on the driver side (bank 2, LH bank) | 3rd |
| 8 | P0308 | The rear cylinder on the driver side (bank 2, LH bank) | 8th |
Bank 1 is always the bank that contains cylinder 1, so for this engine bank 1 is the RH bank with cylinders 1-2-3-4; bank 2 is the LH bank with cylinders 5-6-7-8. Oxygen-sensor, camshaft and catalyst codes that name bank 1 or bank 2 use the same split.
Coils, plugs and wires
- Coil-on-plug on the 2004 engines in Ford's manual: eight separate coils mounted directly above the spark plugs, fired by the PCM.
How to find a cylinder on this engine
- Find the front of the engine: the end with the drive belt and pulleys.
- Find bank 1, the RH bank that holds cylinder 1. On this engine it is the passenger side.
- Count from the belt end. Cylinders 1-2-3-4 run along bank 1 and 5-6-7-8 along bank 2, each starting at the belt end.
- Match the code: P0301 is cylinder 1, P0302 cylinder 2, and so on. P0300 means a random or multiple misfire and does not name a cylinder.
Which engines this covers
Ford modular V8s: 4.6 and 5.4 (Triton), SOHC and DOHC, in longitudinal installations.
- F-150, Expedition and E-Series 4.6 and 5.4 (2004 F-150 5.4 verified)
- Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Town Car 4.6 (2004 verified)
- Mustang GT 4.6
Questions
What is the Ford 4.6 / 5.4 modular V8 firing order?
1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.
Which side is cylinder 1 on?
Cylinder 1 is the front cylinder on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank).
Where is cylinder 4 (code P0304)?
Cylinder 4 is the rear cylinder on the passenger side (bank 1, RH bank).
Which bank is bank 1?
The bank with cylinder 1: the RH bank, cylinders 1-2-3-4.
Is the 5.4 firing order the same as the 4.6?
Yes. Ford's 2004 workshop manuals give 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 for both the 5.4 F-150 and the 4.6 Crown Victoria, with cylinders 1-4 on the RH (passenger) bank.
Is it the same as the 5.0 HO?
The sequence 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 matches the 5.0 HO and 351 Windsor, and the numbering follows the same Ford pattern (1-4 on the passenger side). See the Ford 302 page.
Sources
The firing order, the cylinder numbering and the position of each bank in the vehicle were each checked against at least two of these sources, and they agree.
- Ford workshop manual, 2004 F-150 5.4L, Firing Order (via Operation CHARM). “Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Eight separate ignition coils are mounted directly above each spark plug. Diagram (arrow = front): 1-2-3-4 right bank, 5-6-7-8 left bank.” Factory / manufacturer
- Ford workshop manual, 2004 Crown Victoria 4.6L, Firing Order (via Operation CHARM). “Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, same cylinder diagram.” Factory / manufacturer
- BackYardMechanic, Ford 5.4L V8 firing order and cylinder location. “Firing Order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Passenger side of engine: Bank-1. Driver side of engine: Bank-2.” Independent reference
- Engine-build.com, firing orders by engine (Ford Modular V8 4.6, 5.4). “Ford Modular V8 (4.6, 5.4) Firing Order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.” Independent reference
- Meridian Parts, firing orders (5.4 Triton). “the Ford 5.4 Triton fires 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.” Independent reference
Last reviewed 15 November 2026 · How the data is sourced and checked