cornish rattler said:

But the head is still off as he has ordered a new H.G. still not convinced

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I have actually bolted the head back on using the old gasket to give it a try and it is turning over fine now. Waiting for the new head gasket to come from Paddocks. I still think it was a push rod not seated correctly.

Are ok it was just reading through it all the head was still off and assumed with resetting the timing the engine with the head off I was thinking the the problem was the pistons touching the head but if you have refitted the head then providing the timing is right you should be ok.

I am in a similar position as you with the now tdi engined 2a when I had the engine on the bench with the head off, new timing belt, idler and tensioner I am at the stage of turning the engine over by hand ( twice ) but was reluctant doing this with the head off just in case because with nothing forcing pressure from the top ( push rods, rockers, etc ) something could jam up then when I come to fitting the head and building it up later something would be wrong so once the head is back on I will Rotate the engine

Well today has been a good day, new head gasket on, head on, all the pushers and rockers on and everything is as it should be, turns over fine no problems so far, but tomorrow is another day in landy land.

Many thanks for every ones help and input.

So did you finalise what was causing the problem with it not turning?

Cheers

neilly said:

So did you finalise what was causing the problem with it not turning?

Cheers

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The crank was turned over two revolutions which re unaligned the giggle pin with the laffing shaft and enabled full operation of the fluffer valve to be unhindered.

neilly said:

So did you finalise what was causing the problem with it not turning?

Cheers

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No to be honest, nothing that I can say 100% was the problem but all is good now