Can anyone help me with these questions?

• What is the order of cylinders in my 1986-420SEL? Is #1 the one on the passenger side at the front of the car, does it go until #4 at that side and then start with #5 on the front of the driver’s side?
• The manual says that it takes Bosch W8DC plugs; now it has Bosch W9DC; are they ok?
• Which ones are the hotter ones?
• What are the gaps for either kind? The dealer told me different gaps than I found on the web, 0.035 vs. 0.032 while now they are gapped 0.050.
• How do I take the distributor cap off? The wires will not come off.

Thanks for any help.

Yes

Yes; the W9DC's are hotter

.032 is correct

Are you replacing the cap or rotor? If not, leave it alone. The boots must be twisted a quarter turn or so to break them free from the cap---same with the plug wires at the spark plugs. If you are replacing the cap, loosen (they are semi-captive)the three screws on the top circumference of the distributor cap and lift the cap from the front to the rear. Mark

Thank you very much for your distinct, clear answers.