I am working on a 1962 Rambler Classic wit a straight 6 engine. The engine is real down on power. So far I have put in fresh fuel. Installed new plugs. Installed a pertronix ignition conversion and new plug wires. I verified that that the fuel filters are clean and the pump is putting out good flow. I believe the carb to be ok. Compression is 165, 175, 160, 170, 165, and 155. I have set timing all over and it doesn't help. Now for the head scratcher. It idles a little rough and when I pull plug wires 1 and 2 while it is running there is virtually no change in the sound of the engine. 3-6 make a definite change. Now for the big one. The car came to me with the firing order installed as 1 4 2 5 3 6. The book says 1 5 3 6 2 4. What is going on. I tried book firing order and it wouldn't start went back to the other order and it started again. Could the cam be 180 out. I believe the firing order in the book to be correct as it is an original 62 shop manual and from the pictures it is the original engine for the car. Please help. Thanks, Scott.

start from scratch

top dead center on # 1 and look at timing mark on damper and then look at dist and see where its pointing

then wire it from there

the chain could have jumped and be rewired

the dist could be out a tooth as well if its been out

valve lash adjustment
.016I/.018E cold

as Scratch said. 1 5 3 6 2 4 is correct & will work. what's causing the problem is your not starting #1 plug wire in the right dist socket. EDIT just make sure you start at #1 compression when you have the marks at TDC. & with those readings you have a pretty healthy long block! timing chain is not jumped.

I agree. Your compression test suggests that cam timing is correct.

Make sure you are following the correct distributor rotation too. Your firing order is almost the complete opposite direction of the book.

from 1967 "glenns" manual

Every straight 6 I know of is 1-5-3-6-2-4
As mentioned, pop the cap and watch the rotor as you bring it up to #1 TDC, then wire it. Make sure the cap doesn't have any carbon tracks too.
Other things that causes no change when a cylinder are intake leaks (very common), valvetrain issues (not as likely, due to the compression), and ignition problems.

Sounds to me like you need to start over from scratch getting it on TDC. Then go from there.