Timing issues?

[paul69]

I couldn't start my 8v during week but after a clean up of the dizzy cap and rotor arm by mechanic it was fine. He said it needs a new cap and arm but haven't had time to do it yet. Now this morning it wouldn't start again so cleaned them myself but now it is still a struggle to start it and when it does the engine misfires when idling. Could I have messed up the timing when cleaning or would it make a difference if I have replaced the leads incorrectly? BTW it was running perfectly before my crude efforts,

[X4MGS]

If the leads are wrong it would misfire all the time and won't do the engine any good...

I would get yourself a new rotar and cap asap, might help to get a set of HT leads too...

Not gonna hurt and I don't think they are expensive from GSF....

[paul69]

When you say "leads are wrong", do you mean in the wrong positions? Haynes doesn't seem very clear about the correct order, how can I tell what it should be? I need it running without causing any damage to the engine until I can get new ones fitted.

[Alec]

I think if the firing order was incorrect you would know about it. Did you take any of the plug leads off the dizzy cap when you cleaned it?

[X4MGS]

According to the Bentley manual firing order is 1-3-4-2 clylinder 1 is closest to the camshaft.

To find the no1 position on the distributor remove cap and look for the TDC mark on the edge of the housing. The distributor cap terminal closest to this mark when installed is no1.

The wires connect to the dist cap in firing order 1-3-4-2 in a clockwise direction from no 1.

HTH