I know I will sort this out.

I have pulled wrenches for years, but somehow made the ultimate 'new guy' mistake when changing my cap and rotor.

First, why on earth is that rotor so pricy? That is just silly.....

Now that I have that off of my chest.

I removed the breather box, and poped the cap. I saw the carbon arcing I expected was causing my misfire. Changed the rotor, and started to swap the wires one at a time as I have done for years....

Oh, wait! There is a plastic cover over the cap. I see there are copper grounding plates in the screw holes so I figure that the cover has a RF sheild... which would not be there if it were not needed. I write the numbers on the wires, remove them all and slip the cover on the new cap.

ok, so I put them back on and then can not recall if I numbered them clockwise or counter.... so I go to the manual and notice no arrow visible to indicate the direction of rotation. I have learned that unconnected coil wires are a recipe for damaged ignition systems...

Anyone have any tips? I feel like an idiot for this (I have overhauled MB injector pumps with no manual before so this is like the childs play it is... maybe I am just not thinking clearly...)

Thanks,

 

Ok, here is some info for anyone who might search and find this thread.

My car is running well now, no need for assistance.

Some info;

With #1 at TDC, the rotor will be pointing at approximately 11:00.

Ignition sequence is (Fire order) is

1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 (as per manual, and distributor).
COUNTER CLOCKWISE.

Wire position is stamped on the black RF protective distributor cover. I will include a description in case anyone's car lacks this cover (easily discarded with some prior cap).

Looking at the cap (installed) from the driver side (standing abreast the fender).

There are two higher posts on the cap. These are at approximately 10:00 and 8:00... the #1 wire goes to the high post at 10:00, the #2 wire goes to the one at 8:00 and so on around counter clock wise.

Also, the numbering is from driver side to passenger... not the other way around as the illustration in the Haynes manual leads you to believe.