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panky, have you pulled a plug and cranked it to see if its firing when spinning [?]

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
I've pulled all 4 plugs and checked them - now and again there is a backfire but the engine just isn't even trying to start I've got a spare starter motor so I'll swap it out - maybe cranking the engine is pulling the ignition voltage down. I guess I'll just have to go back to basics - re-new everything :I
I even did a compression test - all seems OK and even.

'Harvey the RV'
 
try a coil swap and have you earth strapped the engine, try it with some easy start as well.
its possible the starter is drawing all the current or even a dodgy ignition switch :)

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
Thanks Tim, Sybhil is looking good [^]
The earth strap is good and tight - I did have a problem with the battery earth but sorted it. Haven't got a spare coil but going to car show and jumble tomorrow so will keep an eye out. The next time I try it I'll by-pass the starter button and put a screwdriver across the starter solenoid terminals [}:)]

'Harvey the RV'
 
a trip back to basics is a good start ;) if you have a spare battery, use it for just the ignition circuit, + straight to the coil and try that ;)

"you were only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"
 
If you check each plug against the engine block and confirm that they're definitely sparking then you may possibly have done what I've done a couple of times in the past and put the leads on the dizzy cap either 90, 180 or 270 degrees out - the plugs then fire correspondingly out of sequence e.g. on the exhaust stroke causing a backfire!

Look at the timing marks on the crank pulley and get it so that the pointer is at TDC first cylinder, then check that the HT lead to cylinder one is where the rotor arm is under dizzy cap. Also, make sure you've got the firing order correct too - 1-3-4-2???? ;) Good luck!
 
Thanks for the advice and support chaps - I've got a feeling it's going to be one of those Panky moments - you know like I've left the rotor arm out or something......come to think of it........;)

'Harvey the RV'
 
my monies on faulty coil :)....any way have you got the red out ?celebrations & commiserations are in order :I

Sybhil & no1
 
Sorry have'nt read through all the posts but I had a similar problem on a Rover P4 and replaced most of the ignition circuit before finding that the SU fuel pump was knackered and only sending through fuel when it felt like it so it sometimes started and died or did'nt start at all but when I checked the fuel some was coming through.
Try a gravity feed from a petrol can on the roof syphoned directly to the carb.

Also I had a Volvo Amazon that had a break in the low tension circuit which meant that I had a speaker wire connecting the battery directly to the + coil terminal. The symptoms were the same

Good luck

Owen
 
Thanks Owen, I've got a petrol can feeding the suction to the pump and it seems to be supplying OK - and there is a big fat spark if you leave a gap twixed coil and king lead but I will try you suggestions along with everything else[^]
I think I'll be investing in a lekky pump anyway:)

'Harvey the RV'
 
Haven't even been to see Harvey today - Been chillin' out at Tatton Park with my local club - and what a day it was [8D] I reckon it was the biggest, busiest show I've ever been to - Macker1 will bear me out - absolutely superb [^]. Loads of interest in Dora the Explorer and forum details given out to numerous interested parties. I'm sure we will have a few new members knocking at the door very soon :)

'Harvey the RV'
 
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