I need to know which spark plug wires go to the correct plug from the distributor cap

If you look at the distributor cap from the wires side carefully, you would find either a line mark on one of the outer side of four holes (where the spark plug wires are inserted) or the numbers printed on the top of distributor cap (1,3,4,2). Fix one end of the longest high tension plug wire into number 1 hole or the one marked with a line mark on the distributor cap and the other end on spark plug number 1 (the number 1 plug is toward the pulleys and the belts side, then No 2, No 3 and No 4). While standing in front of right wheel you will see the distributor cap in front of you. The rotor moves clock wise. After you fix the 1st cord, next comes number 3 plug wire. Insert one end of the cord into the next to 1 on the right hand side and press the other side of the cord on spark plug number 3. Next to 3 is the cord number 4 and the last one is number 2.

This diagram is for 1998-1995 Chevy 6 cylinder 4.3L engines.
Your got the firing order exactly correct, at 1-6-5-4-3-2, but here's the thing to double-check:
The distributor rotation is clockwise (note badly rendered arrow in picture).





Since you probably got everything right, then you're left with really unusual/rare causes of
failure of the ignition system:
(a) rotor button misaligned/failing to make contact?
(b) rotor button not pressed onto distributor shaft far enough therefore failing to provide correct
proximity to distributor cap contacts when coil fires
(c) coil wire or contact loose/disconnected - press coil wire firmly down into distributor cap.
(d) distributor shaft of other damage caused during installation of rotor.
(e) spark plug wires defective from factory
(f) spark plugs defective from factory
(g) battery low - may need a charge to start
(h) ICM (ignition control module) failure - hook up your HEI (high energy ignition) tester, and
watch the quality of the spark on each cylinder.
(i) fuel problem? If spark is being properly delivered, its gotta be a fuel problem...
(j) distributor cap not screwed down flush to top of distributor? maybe just on one side?

Inspect the inside of the distributor cap - if there are lots of little metal bits all over the inside
of the distributor cap, then you know you have a misalignment of some type in there, and the
rotor and cap are destroying each other. normal operation will throw a quota of spark-ed off
metal bits inside the distributor cap, but since your cap is brand new, your attempts to start
the engine should have rotated the distributor so few times, you should see no metal debris.

Inspect the distributor cap contacts to see if any spark marks are more of less in the middle
of the cap's proper "contact zone". If not, you've diagnosed an internal misalignment, which
you know how to correct.

change one spark wire at a time on the distributor.buy new set of spark plugs wires remove them from box.match old wires with new wires to use the correct length to each cylinder.now if you need to change distributor cap.mark location distributor cap.number tag plug wires on the distributor cap so you can remove plug wires on distributor cap so you can replace cap and rotor and put wires back on the distributor cap in correct place.remember change one plug wire at a time so you wont get confuse.

Follow the spark plug wires from your distributor cap to your spark plugs. Be sure to replace one at a time so you get the firing order correct. And be sure and gap your new plugs before you install them. Might want to check your distributor cap and rotor while your at it. Be sure that you do not get the wires mixed up. You can number (or otherwise) mark them with a pen and some medical (white) tape to be sure you know where to put them back if you do change your distributor cap and rotor. Good luck. Let me know if this helps. Thanks

GET A PIECE PAPER DRAW A LARGE CIRCLE TOP UPPER HALF CIRCLE LEFT TO RIGHT WRITE NUMBERS 1 AND 3 BOTTOM HALF CIRCLE LEFT TO RIGHT RIGHT NUMBERS 2 AND 4 THAT YOUR DISTRIBUTOR SPARK PLUGS WIRES LOCATION.STANDING ON SIDE OF ENGINE WHERE DISTRIBUTOR IS LOOKING DOWN AT DISTRIBUTOR 1 AND 3 FIRST TWO SPARK PLUGS TERMINALS NEXT TO ENGINE. AND 2 AND 4 SPARK PLUGS TERMINAL ON CAP FACING YOU. THIS IS CYLINDERS LOCATIONS STANDING IN FRONT OF ENGINE.RUN WIRES FROM DISTRIBUTOR CAP TO PLUGS TO THE ENGINE SPARK PLUGS.

Hi: To Install the Distributor Correctly, 1st thing to do is Remove your #1 Spark Plug assuming it will turn over have someone Turn the Key Off and On in Short Intervals.Either put a Compression Gauge in the #1 Spark Plug HoleOr the Old Fashion Way Works as well just put your Finger in the #1 Plug Hole.As your Helper Cranks the Engine On -Off On -Off.Not A Continuous Crank.When You Feel Air Pressure or See gauge Come up.TYhats when your Engine is a The compression Stroke.Now you Can Drop the New Distributor in its Hole.NOTE: You'll need a Spark Plug and Timing Diagram to See the Position your Distributor ROTOR Line it up to where the Diagram Shows your #1 Spark Plug Wire Will go in the Distributor Cap.If the Distributor Rotor is Not n That Position Your goning to Get Either Back Firing engine May Not Even Stsrt, To This Is Crucial. After The Know that you have The Distributor Droppped The Right position you'll need to Put Gap your Plugs at the Correct Specs, With All Plugs in Now You'll need to Put New Plug Wires on .And They MUST be in the correct order.Sitting inside your Vehicle #1 Plug is the Front Plug on the Drivers Side Next is #3 plug Next is #5 and Your Back Plug is Number 7,On the other side Passenger Front Plug is #2 next #4 Next is #6 and the Back is #8 Assuming you know have your Distributor Dropped in The Proper Position, Put the #1 Spark Plug Wire on the Front Spark Plug (Drivers Side) The Spark Plug Firing Order in Your Engine is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Clockwise So the Next hole after you have #1 Plug and Wire on And Distributor In Correct Position on COMPRESSION STOKE, Going Clockwise you next wire will be your #8 Position in The Cap And it wil go to the Back Spark Plug on The Rear Spark Plug on Passenger Side. NOTE: Drivers Side Spark Plugs on the Drivers Side Front to Back are Your Odd Numbers 1-3-5-7 Pasenger Side is Your Even Numbers From The Front is #2-4-6-8 Is The Rear PLug .

Heres a Diagram of your Spark plug Positions

Front of Engine
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8

Hope This Will Get You Going. Let me know The Quality of Help and Solution I've Given You By Voting on It.And May Can Also Send a Testamony
From d_hubbs

Hi: If this is your 1st time to Change your Spark Plugs, I recommend that you First of All Get the Correct Spark Plugs from your Auto Parts Store, Then Locate your Spark Plug Wires which run from your Distributor Cap to your Spark Plugs.If you have a V-8 There will be 8 if you Have a V-6 Then You'll have six Spark Plug Wires and 1- COIL Wire which is located in the Center of your Distributor Cap to your Coil. It is the Shortes Wire.I Recommend you ONLY do 1-Spark Plug at a Time, This will Prevent you from getting any of your wires Crossed which will Cause your Engine to Run Rough ,Back Fire or Not even Start,So just Pull off 1-Wire From Spark Plug and one Wire From Your Distributor Cap, You'll Need a Spark Plug Socket Probally 5/8th in. And a Ratchet and 2- Different Size Extensions to beable to reackh all your Spark PlugsNOTE!! Buy you a Spark Plug Wire Tool there not very Expensive but well worth it,This was you Can Pull the Wires with out Damaging Your Wires.And you Might Want to Put NEW Spark Plug Wires On as well, If So and I do Recommend This. And Again Just do 1- Wire and Plug At a Time So you'll know you Have Not Crossed any Wires. Hope This Helps You ,Please Respond by Voting on This Problem And How it Helped You. Thanks From WYOCWBOY

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1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Label and disconnect the wires from each spark plug one at a time.
   
3. Remove the spark plug wires from the distributor cap. On some models you may need to use a flat bladed tool to lift up the lock claw and disconnect the holder from the cap. Separate the wires at the grommet.
   

Make sure to remove the spark plug wires from the boot end and NOT from the wire itself



Lift up the lock claw and disconnect the holder from the cap

WARNING Do NOT pull on the plug wires to remove them, this may damage the conductor inside.

1. Pull the plug wires from the retaining clamps.
   

To install:

1. Attach the holder and grommet portion to the distributor cap. Make sure that the holder is installed correctly to the grommet and cap.
   

Align the spline of the cap with the spline groove of the holder



Make sure the holder is correctly installed to the grommet

1. Check that the lock claw of the holder is engaged by lightly pulling on the holder.
   
2. On the center cord, insert the grommet and holder together.
   
3. Secure the wires with the clamps.
   

1988-95 5.7L and 7.4L Engines Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Distributor Rotation: Clockwise

A diagram may not be needed as its a reasonably easy fix to do on your own.the distributor ca p will only fit on properly one way because at the base of the cap locaters can only fit the distributor if they line up.When doing the spark plug leads do them one at a time and if nessecary write or mark leads as 1,2 etc .The rotor can only fit on one way but put a mark on the distributor to show where the rotor was pointing when you took it off and if it still points there when the new one is fitted.When changing distributor cap and leads they have to go to the correct place.Pays to mark the outside of distributor cap where the locating bits are On the new and old one.Fit the new cap and rotor then take a spark plug lead and fit to new cap 1 at a time.You can tell by lining up the marks on the outside of the distributor cap when you hold them one on top of the other.Good luck