the convention was usually that the lead nearest to cylinder one on the
distributor was number one then you work clockwise around [as looking down
upon] the distributor connecting to each cylinder in turn 1342    ...   if
there is no obvious number one then choose a lead hypothetically calling it
one but then the sequence will be just the same as you connect from the
distributor 1342    ...    if that doesn't work then choose the next lead as
'number one' and if necessary the next and the next    ....   when you hit
the right combination it might be a good idea to mark them up so you don't
have this problem again

incidentally, cylinder one is that which is on the end of the engine where
the crank pokes out to connect your drive belts etc.   ...   then the
cylinders are 1234 across the engine

omega