plug one location on distributor

[dwestie]

I just replaced the distributor and plug wires on my 2001 7.4 liter engine and now it wont start and there is some backfiring.
Stupid me I didn't mark the location of the plug 1 wire on the distributor thinking I could just look at the diagram in the service manual. Well the diagram is very misleading and searching on the web comes up with different locations for plug wire 1.
I have the correct firing order just the location of the start of the order is off.
Any one know for sure where plug one wire is connected on the distributor.
Standard rotation on the engine.

 

[Bt Doctur]

If the engine is un-disturbed and the ign system was never hacked then #1 goes to where #1 is marked on the cap. 1.8.4.3.6.5.7.2 clockwise
If the dist was pulled and installed willy-nilly then #1 can be any one of the terminals

 

[dwestie]

The problem is there is no marking on the cap that shows plug 1.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Ok then, remove the #1 spark plug , remove the dist cap. watch the rotor position and listen for the rush of air from the plug hole.as you crank the engine
Try to pinpoint the rush of air (compression stroke) and rotor position to come close to #1 plug position, mark dist and call that position #1 and go clockwise from there

 

[dwestie]

I should add it was just the cap and rotor and wires that were replaced and not the whole distributor.

 

[stonyloam]

OK, do as the dr says, and line up the timing mark on the balancer with 0 on the pointer you will be at TDT #1. Look at where the distributor rotor is pointed, that is where # 1 wire goes. The cap should only go on the distributor one way. Put it on and mark the side of the distributor where #1 wire is plugged in. Take the cap off and rotate the distributor so the rotor lines up with the mark.

 

[dwestie]

I really want to avoid taking the cap off if possible as it it at the back of the engine and has very poor access. It's basically do it by feel.
what if I took a timing light and connected it to each wire in turn. The wire that shows close to good timing would be where the #1 wire should connect to on the cap.

 

[Bt Doctur]

I suppose that should work too

 

[dwestie]

I ended up taking the cap off, setting the engine to TDC for cylinder one and figuring out which post was for wire one.
It turns out that it was at the 4 o'clock. Connected all the wires up and it now runs perfectly again.
Thanks to those that took the time to help.