Replacing cam on 351m pulled msd distributer out with the order correct but number 1 on distributer was facing toward the front of the motor seemed to run fine but all diagrams show it toward back side

I would start off by turning the engine manually by hand (in the natural direction) until the #1 cylinder is up. Then I would verify all my spark plug wires on the rotor and verify that the number 1 position on the rotor goes to the number 1 cylinder while the cylinder is up and looking for that spark. Then verify your firing order in the manual because the 2nd position the rotor goes to is that firing order and it's not going to be cylinder number 2. I had that problem once myself so recheck the order of rotation.

This appears to be correct, also havent known in my time using alldata for it to be wrong on any occasion so far. I trust that this is the correct fring order and wiring on distributer cap. Are you still having problem or just asking before taking on the task of a tuneup?

If the wires are still in the distributer, AND, if you have a stock intake manifold, the firing order is on the manifold. If it's a V-8, the number 1, 3, 5, & 7 plugs are on the drivers side of the engine. The number 2, 4, 6, & 8 plugs are on the passenger side. The number 1 plug wire can be located by looking at the distributer from the front of the engine and visually looking between the distributer and the number 1 plug. Visualize the distributer as a clock. The number one position should be located between 4 and 5 o'clock and should have the longest wire of those on that side of the distributer.

If the wires have been pulled from the distributer, then, then, remove the rotor cap, turn the engine over slowly until the rotor is pointing to the number 1 plug. Using the firing order on the intake manifold, starting with number 1, replace the wires going clockwise around the distributer.

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 is the firing order it rotates clockwise and #1 on the cap usually faces towards cylinder 1.number 1 cylinder is the front cylinder on the drivers side of the motor and it goes 1-3-5-7 front to back on that side of the motor.and 2-4-6-8 on the passenger side of the motor front to back.

Check this out

The firing order is ( 1 - 3 - 7 - 2 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 8 )

The distributor rotor turns COUNTERCLOCKWISE

The marked # 1 position on the distrubutor cap faces to the REAR and slightly towards the drivers side

The engine cylinders / spark plug locations are numbered :

firewall

4 - 8

3 - 7

2 - 6

1 - 5

front

If someone has altered the disstributer, pull #1 plug, put finger over hole, turn engine over until compression on that cyl, line up timing marks (ball park only) and rotor will be pointing at the correct terminal for #1 cylinder plug wire connection, in the cap.

Facing towards front of engine-number 1 is on passenger side front cyl of engine. Number 2 is front cyl on driver's side-number 3 middle cyl on passenger side-4 on middle cyl driver's side-5 on back cyl passenger side and 6 on back cyl driver's side. The distributer rotates COUNTER CLOCKWISE-number 1 cyl's sparkplug wire attaches to distributer cap connection closest to number 5 cyl.-to your right side of this plug wire on cap would go cyl number 2-then 3-then 4-then 5 and then 6. The firing order is:1,2,3,4,5,6

Since you didn't state whether it is a V6 or V8, I'll give you both.

V6 -4.3Liter
Firing Order is 1-6-5-4-3-2
Distributor rotor turns Clockwise
Number 1 spark plug tower on distributor cap, faces the front of the engine.

->Drivers side, spark plug order in engine, starting from the Front going back:
1-3-5
->Passenger side, spark plug order in engine,
starting from the Front going back:
2-4-6

If it's Electronic, the distributor cap has a Left side, (Drivers side), and a Right side, (Passenger side)
Starting from the Front, going back on the Left side,
3-1-5
Starting from the Front going back on the Right side,
2-4-6

V8-5.0, 5.7, and 7.4Liter
Firing Order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Distributor rotor turns Clockwise
Number 1 spark plug tower on distributor cap,
faces Front, towards the Drivers side.

Electronic distributor cap has two sides. Drivers, (Left), side and Passenger, (Right), side.
Starting from Front going back on Drivers side,
1-7-3-5
Starting from Front going back on Passenger side,
8-2-4-6

Spark plug order in engine, starting from Front going back, Drivers side:
1-3-5-7
Spark plug order in engine, starting from Front going back, Passenger side:
2-4-6-8

With the 2T-C, 3T-C, and 3K-C engines the Firing Order is 1-3-4-2
The distributor rotates ->Clockwise. (The rotor actually)

Number 1 spark plug tower on the distributor cap, faces directly towards the engine. Number 2 faces the back of the engine, Number 4 faces the front of the engine, Number 3 is to the outside away from the engine.

Number 1 spark plug is at the front of the engine. 1-2-3-4

With the 4A-C engine, and other A-Series, the Firing Order is 1-3-4-2
The distributor rotates ->CounterClockwise.

Number 1 spark plug tower is towards the engine, and faces the back of the engine. Number 3 spark plug tower is away from the engine, and faces the back of the engine.
Number 2 spark plug tower is towards the engine, and faces the front.
Number 3 spark plug tower is away from the engine, and faces the front.

the fireing order starts on left side with 1

left
front right
1 2
3 4
5 6 for plug wires
7 8
rear right
left


face the dis towards #1 and mak sure u dont break the pick up coil in the distributer