So on top of my non starting woes I just went to check the oil level before hooking up my new battery and a load of oil/petrol mixture poured out of the dipstick tube! How is fuel getting into the engine? Is it getting through the carbs? Do I need to flush it out, will it damage the engine?

Thanks

Yes you need to flush it yes it will damage the engine if it's run while it's in there. not really up on V8's but fuel in sump is usually faulty fuel lift pump.

you dont suppose you have connected a breather to the petrol supply?

could carbs be leaking onto valley?

either way its potentially explosive, dont start it till you have flushed and cured the leak!!!

didn't think about lift pump!

What is the fuel lift pump and where can I find it? Sorry, very new to all this!

follw the fuel lines, should be on side of engine somewhere

Is it a clear cylinder thing?

And what should I use to flush it out?

Mate...I'm assuming you have a classic v8 carb...

The clear plastic thing is probably a fuel filter if its small with a cone looking thing inside...

The fuel pump is a metal cylinder probably bolted to the chassis under the passenger side door or further back towards the tank. Fuel pipe in and out and a wire to the electrics. When it's running it feels like its "tapping" when you hold it.

Follow the fuel line into the engine bay. It probably passes another filter or 2 and then heads to the carbs. If you want to check pump function then pull the inlet fuel pipe off the carb, put it in a bottle and put ignition to 1st position (electrics will come on) and lots of petrol should flow into your bottle). If it doesnt then check the fuel pump is tapping away. If it is then you may have a fuel pipe into somewhere it really shouldn't be!

Otherwise this is very wierd. You can't get fuel from the carbs into the oil unless your carbs are constantly open and the rings are leaking or something...even if its timing is out the petrol will be sent to exhaust.

Check all pipes from the carbs and the fuel return to tank line from the carbs. This return is a common pain.

You can just drain the oil out and dispose of it...using the drain plug on the bottom of the sump (it comes out fast - 7ish litres or something from memory). Then leave it for a minute. Change the oil filter! Big cylinder sticking from the sump. Few quid from shop.

Put the plug back and refill from the top. Use a decent grade and do not overfill.

Good luck!