I need to know the fireing order on a 2.8l engine in a 1985 ford ranger

In this link in pictures

https://www.google.com/search?q=firing+order+on+a+2000+Ford+Ranger.&

..

Firing order for ford engines is shown in the attached link Firing Orders for Ford Engines

You may have got the spark plug wires out of sequence.
Reseat the coil wire going to the center of the distributor cap Check the spark plug wires at the distributor against the firing order as follows:
The spark plug firing order is 1 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 3 - 6 The distributor rotor turns CLOCKWISE The engine cylinders / spark plugs are numbered :
firewall 3 - 6 2 - 5 1 - 4 front
Best wishes,
TF

1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 The rotor turns counter-clockwise. Make sure to keep #7 and #8 spark plug wires separated. The 5.0L had a problem with 7 and 8 cross-firing because they fire so close to each other. Ford changed the firing order on that engine, in later years , because of that reason. Hope this helps ya... Cobra :-)

Posted by Asker for a 1997 Ford F250 under the 1985 Ford 250 Category.
I have included BOTH the 1985 and 1997 F250 351cid=5.8L Firing Orders below...

1985 Ford F250 351CI = 5.8L V8:
Firing Order:
1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinders:
........(back)........
|..4..|........|..8..|
|..3..|........|..7..|
|..2..|........|..6..|
|..1..|........|..5..|
.......(front)
Distributor:
....(back)
[X].3...1
7............8
2............4
.....6...5.[X]-clip
....(front)

For the 1997 Ford F250 351CI = 5.8L V8:
Firing Order:
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Cylinders:
........(back).......
|..4..|........|..8..|
|..3..|........|..7..|
|..2..|........|..6..|
|..1..|........|..5..|
.......(front)
Distributor:
.....(back)
[X].5...1
4............8
2............7
.....6...3.[X]-clip
.....(front)

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

Ford uses hydraulic valve lifters,turn engine over to install rockers,engine oil pressure keeps valves constantly adjusted.

Below is the firing order for you Ranger.
Good luck, let me know.
Regards,

On the front of the engine usually on the drivers side 

1991-1994 2.9L and 3.0L Engines Firing Order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1995 And Later 3.0L V-6 With DIS Ignition System Firing Order 1-4-2-5-3-6
4.0L Engines Firing Order: 1-4-2-5-3-6 DIS Ignition System

1988 Ford Ranger 2WD
2.0 liter SOHC L4


1988 Ford Ranger 2WD
2.3 liter SOHC L4


1988 Ford Ranger 2WD
2.9 liter V-6


The firing order is the same in the 4wd specs also.