Trying to start after rebuild

Hi,
Thanks to all those who helped me figure out where everything goes.

I'm done with the rebuild. Oil is flowing. coolant is full. I'm trying to start the engine, it's not firing at all. Just keeps turning over.

I noticed that when I was cranking it there would be one spot every so often where it would slow right down.

I took the distributor cap off, and #1 spark plug. I put my thumb over the hole and I had someone bump the engine with the ignition key. Found pressure on the first bump. Must be the compression stroke. The distributor arm was 180 degrees off from the #1 plug lead.

So I took the distributor out, rotated it about 180 degrees, put it back in.

Checked for spark, it's sparking good, and there is fuel on the plug.

One thing I notice now the engine doesn't slow down, it turns at a consistent speed now. Still not firing at all though.

What do I do next?

Thanks,
Roger

1st try when I thought I figured the distributor was 180 out. Now that I watch the video it seems like it fired once or twice.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e97qBORXIk"]YouTube- First attempt to start 3.9 rover v8[/nomedia]

I tried this quite a few more times than the video shows.

Here's after I rotated the distributor 180 degrees.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTSglb-r7ls"]YouTube- Second attempt rover 3.9[/nomedia]

Thanks,
Roger

Yay! I kept fiddling with the timing and it finally started....

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0WD2N6jOQg"]YouTube- Land Rover first start[/nomedia]

But then developed a squeek. Anyone know what this noise might be?... doesn't sound good.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrpKsSVgDCI"]YouTube- Land Rover squeek developed[/nomedia]

Well I've run it a few times now and the squeek has gone. I'm on to working on the brakes

Engine sounds sweet.

Thanks,
Roger

Good news,

Thanks, yes. I got the brakes working although they're not quite right yet. I think I need to bleed them some more.

I've never driven a Land Rover before. It's quite impressive. Didn't think 3 tons could handle like this. I figured it would be like driving a bus.

Cheers,
Roger

No heavier than most of you trucks over there mate

My other car is a VW Passat, and the work truck is a Ford ranger, so both quite small & light.

I try not to drive American cars if I can avoid it as they won't go around corners and are generally quite bland.

they sound nice though!