I have the Haynes manual that shows the wires connected on the distributor cap as, looking at cap from right side of car, 1=right, 2=bottom, 3=left, 4=top, going clockwise. Is this indeed correct?

Currently, the connections are 1=left, 2=bottom, 3=top, 4=right.

I just changed plugs and wires to NGK and put them like the "current" connection for now. Please advise.

 

There should be a "mark" on/near one of the terminals on the dist cap. This is #1 cyl, from there going clockwise, #3 - #4 -#2.