All 4 cylinder cars have timing order 1342 but the leads go into a round distributor cap so is of from top to bottom or some other order?

The firing order (1-3-4-2) refers to the order the cylinders fire, *not* the physical arrangement of the spark plug wires in the distributor cap. While the firing order is 1-3-4-2, the physical placement of the wires in the distributor cap will depend on the distributor's rotation and the engine's design. There's no single "top to bottom" rule.

To determine the correct wire placement, you must consult a diagram specific to your car's year, make, and model. This diagram is usually found:

* In your owner's manual: This is the best place to start.

* Under the hood: Sometimes a sticker with the firing order and distributor cap wiring is placed on the engine or inner fender.

* Online: Search for "[your car's year, make, and model] distributor cap wiring diagram." Many repair manuals and websites provide this information.

Attempting to guess the wire placement could lead to serious engine damage. Using a diagram is essential.