Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1948 DeSoto DeLuxe, crankshaft pulley, compression stroke

Question
I am in need of the firing order for the 6 cylinder DeSoto and if you could tell me which cylinder is #1 You cant feel the pistons when the plugs are out.  Thanks, David

Answer
ANSWER: Ok, here we go. Pull number one spark plug out. Bump the engine over in short taps while you hold your thumb over the number one spark plug holes. You will feel the various strokes of the 4 stoke cycle, intake, compression, firing, and exhaust. You want to get the piston to top dead center at the end of the compression stroke. That is when the plug fires. You can then look at the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley and line it up with the pointer. Then install the distributor so that the rotor points to where number one wire plugs into the cap. Then with the timing marks lined up, rotate the distributor until the points are just about to open and lock it down. If you were careful the timing will be within a degree or two. Let me know what happens.
The firing order for your engine is 1-5-3-6-2-4.
Brad