Looks like you've got it right.

1) No. swapping any pair of wires will result in two cylinders not running. On a four cyl engine, if it runs at all it'll run very poorly.

2) Don't know if they'll mechanically mount swapped. And I doubt the wiring harnesses are long enough to have them electrically swapped.

Your kid is right, there are mathematically 24 ways to install the plug wires. Although the available wire lengths may not allow some combos.

 

Well, I guess it's all right then, 'cause I took it for a spin and it ran like it did prior to the work! All I know is my kid's car is 1-3-4-2 and mine is 4-1-3-2, and I'm documenting it in my spreadsheet for future reference!!! Thanks ever so for the quick answer, BMR! Glad I can always count on TN.com!

 

You car uses a "waste spark" system in there are two coil packs, each of which sparks TWO cylinders with a separate plug wire to each. One cylinder fires, the other is on the exhaust stroke and does not. Next cycle the process is reversed. Thus the two wires from the pack CAN be reversed and still work fine, but No. 4 wire, for example, is too short to reach the other cylinder on that pack. Loss spark lets them get away without a distributor, may wear the plugs faster, but is said to keep the plugs cleaner. It also makes for more exact timing. it's not new, 2 cylinder BMW bikes have used it for over 30 years.

 

Wow, did NOT realize that! I actually was still kinda fumin' about my car bein' such an oddball, but after reading your entry, I'm starting to feel a bit 'cocky' now! Hahahaha! I gotz me a SPESHUL car! Good to know! Thanks, MIB!