CS,
You do not have to rotate the engine to TCD # 1 to replace the distributor cap! That is for timing the car. Just use a screw driver and push down and turn 90 degrees each of 2 hold down bolt heads on the sides of the Dist cap. It lifts right off. and so does the rotor. Both have notches that will only let you put them on one way. I suggest that you do not remove the plug wires until you have the new cap in place. then replace them one at a time to show you where each one goes. The cap is numbered and I hope your plug wires have the little white bands on them with corresponding numbers to the numbers on the cap. THEN you can replace the plug wires with the new ones one at a time.
I was lucky, my wires and both ends of each were fine, no cracks on the rubber ends or carbon marks in the metal ends. I have a dist. cap and rotor on order.
I'm off on a short drive with the MB!

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1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.