Basic Engine Questions, Firing Order and Water Out the Tailpipe Options

[Highland]

Wondering what the firing order isn't 1-4-2-3 instead of the actual 1-4-3-2. Wouldn't it make more sense to go back and forth between opposing sides? Would the engine sound smoother with 1-4-2-3?

I happen to be by my tailpipe when my engine transitioned from cold idle (~1800 rpm) to warm idle (~1000 rpm). When the rpm dropped water sputtered out the tail pipe and continued compared to dry exhaust while cold idle. I know water is a product of combustion, but does this tell me anything about running to rich or lean at these idle conditions?

[930cabman]

Maybe the boys in the fatherland did an eeny miny mo and came up with the firing order (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Maybe the boys in the fatherland did an eeny miny mo and came up with the firing order (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I believe 1432 is dictated by the camshaft which shares 4 lobes for 8 lifters. To do 1423 the lobes would have to be split into 8 separate lobes and would take up more space.

The down side of this compact cam arrangement is that the tappet wear patterns overlap on lobes creating an area that basically sees twice the wear. This overlap area ends up becoming a notch area when the cam is worn.

The other possibility is that firing order helps minimize 2nd order harmonics that are always present for a flat plane crank.

Seriously doubt there was any guessing involved.