I am curious.  How many different ways of numbering V-8 cylinders were used over the years, by the manufacturers:  true trivia.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

Mike, as far as I know only 2 for US V8's. Ford's and everybody elses.

Actually Porsche and Mercedes could easily be different. No idea on Rolls Royce.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

If I'm not mistaken (entirely possible) I seem to remember that the Caddy Northstar had a different numbering order from others, kind of like a mirror image of SBC (or upside down ).

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Are we talking cylinder numbering or firing order?

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

I was ASSUMEing cylinder numbering... if were taking firing order I believe there are some more...

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Cylinder numbering John.  I used to have a complete set of Sun tuneup charts for cars from '54 to '64 or thereabouts.  Seems like I remember seeing quite a few systems.  But now looking at an old 1950 to 1962 Chilton's "Fix Fax"  everything other than Ford is front left 1 front right 2 and crisscrossing to the rear.  So two like you said.

Mike, located in the Siskiyou mountains, Southern, OR 292 powered 1946 Ford 1/2 ton, '62 Mercury Meteor, '55 Country Squire (parting out), '64 Falcon, '54 Ford 600 tractor.

Mike.  For the American car V8’s, I’m only aware of three numbering systems.

The Ford where 1-2-3-4 are on the right bank, GM, Mopar, and AMC where 1-3-5-7 are on the left bank, and some of the Cadillacs (Northstar included) where 1-3-5-7 are on the right bank.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)