What would cause my 84 monte carlo 305 only fire on 4 cylinder

You have the correct order. #1 is at 7 o'clock on your distributor.

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 and no 1 cylinder is first cylinder front drivers side

Check for air trapped in system,and not to be a smart a-- but could thermostat be in backwards?

most likely cause is a bad spark plug or spark plug wire. all though the 1978 305 ci V8 had a bad problem with camshafts, if new wires and plugs don't fix the problem then you might have to have someone check the camshaft lubes.

injectors are common so is a bad intake manifold both will cause your problem

has oil and not frozen.
then how is the engine locking up.
maybe someone did spark plug wires and installed then with the wrong firing order.
causing the wrong cylinder to fire at the wrong time causing the piston to stop.

let me know
jm

diagram? or firing order? looking a engine from passenger fender, the cylinders on your right are 1-3-5, on your right are 2-4-6. Does this help?

Replace your fuel filter.

Clockwise,you may need to spray some penetrant around boot to allow it to slip around piston easier.

You can have car put on scope and it wll show any irregularities in the ignition system. It can also be dowithout any equipment. First, loosing ALL 8 spark plug wires, Now place the spark plug wires loosly back on, just secure enough to secure. You might need 2 people. Being the miss is more consistant in gear, APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE , put trans into drive and raise rpm's till miss is obvious. Remove ONE plug wire at a time, TILL THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN MISS. Thats the cylinder missing. Start with the spark plug, inspect, work back to wires and cap. An EXTREME result will be NO COMPRESSION.