Classic/Antique Car Repair: Spark plug order on distributer, spark plug wires, compression pressure

Question
I have a 1960 Chev 235 6 cylinder. Rebuilt 2 months ago. I just put in new points. I started it, and the whole rotor spun around, dislodging the spark plug wires.

The clamp screw was loose, now tightened. How do I find the correct order for the plug wires?


Answer
The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. The trick will be to find which hole is number one. Do do that remove number one spark plug. Hold your thumb over the hole, not in it while some one bumps the engine a little at a time with the starter. Watch for the timing mark in the window just above the starter. When you feel compression pressure on your thumb you should see the timing mark on the flywheel. That should be number one top dead center firing stroke. At this time the rotor inside the distributor should be pointing at the tower in the cap that you will place number one wire in. Then with the cap off crank the engine and see which way the rotor turns. That is the direction to insert the wires.
Brad