YEE HAA, sorted it. I removed the lead from the coil to the distributor and turned it around and success ( I didnt know that electrons only flow one way up a wire), she purrs like a kitten again. Thanks for all the good advice!!!!

the leads are genuine parts, alongwith all the other parts. Spark plugs are NGK.

The story so far! I have had the carbs balanced and set up for the MOT (now out of date), was purring along. It was left to stand for a couple of days (she saw me driving a 90 of my friends), and since then has not even hinted at wanting to go. I have cleaned up all the electrical terminals...

Thanks for that info. The coil is OK, could the spindle in the centre of the distributor contribute to the problem,if so what is the lateral movement of the centre spindle supposed to be & could the fluctuator ring and the pickup sensor just go?

Done both of them quick checks, still no difference. Is there any checks on the coil to see if it breaking down (Resistance/voltage)?

Try a heavy duty rubber strap bolted on, you can put a plate on it to stop it wrapping around the foot to tight. When off roading it just flexes itself out of the way.

Now got new rotor arm and dizzy cap, fitted but no go. Went back through the checks again and find that the spark between the coil and the block is a yello/orange colour. am i missing the obvious here or does anybody have any other iideas.

Thebig stick normally does the gears to do with the clutch. The little stick does the high/low range and onthe other side of the H locks the diff in the gearbox which makes the axles do the same. it does not lock the diffs in the axles themselves.

I have done a continuity test across all the rotor arms and they all show up as good. I have been back to the supplier and have got somebody else onto it, will take a while to get hold of but guarantees they will be the genuine item. Thanks for all the help so far will keep you posted on the result.

Done all the checks, the only thing that I havent replaced is the distributor. I was wondering if the distributor has got an internal fault somewhere.

V8 Auto wont start, got to the point where the coil to dizzy leads arcs to the rotor arm when turned over. I have changed the rotor arm for genuine lucas part 3 times still to no avail. Any ideas are welcome as it is becoming personnel between me and the Heap (only at the moment).

Been into the marque for nearly 30 odd years, but afraid I have to do my own repairs now. Loving every bit of it!!