Jesse,
Do you mean, can you connect the spark plugs to the distributor in any
old order?  No, definately not.
The firing order on the 2.1L (and probably the 1.9 and 2.0) is 1,4,3,2
(with the distributor running clockwise as you stand over the engine
compartment.  Start with the engine at TDC (aligning the case notch with
the big flywheel notch); line up the distributor cap, and connect the
wires in order (as you're standing over the engine bay looking towards
the front of the bus, cylinder 1 is the front passenger side; cylinder 2
is the rear passenger side; cylinder 3 is the front driver's side, and
cylinder 4 is the rear driver's side -- apologies to our Commonwealth
friends overseas who drive on the "wrong" side of the road).
I've attached a diagram of this.

Best,
d.
1990 GL -- "Mudskipper"