wont start! distributor problem? help please

Hi,
wondering if anyone can advise. 3.9 v8I wont start. turning over, but making no attempt to fire,either on gas or petrol. was running beautifully then just refused to start. Had a look, got fuel in her and gas .(just thought ide get that one out of the way). Got ignition lights and as i say turns over but nothing. checked leads all seem ok and in place.
took off the dizzy cap and had a look. there appears to be a lot of movement in the rotor arm from side to side, my understanding us there should just be a slight spring like movement on it? am i right? also their appears to be movement up and down, which again appears to be more than should be. the rotor arm does spin when turning her over. Im thinking that there is a problem with the distributor gubbings? making the ignition timing out which is why it wont fire.
Anyone had similar or could offer some advice would be most appreciated.

Wayne

Doubt it would be that much out.
Do you have a spark at the plugs?

know a spark at the plugs is the obvious thing to look for, but had to leave it tonight, the rain and dark have beaten me, plus the fact that it broke down away from home.
Have a look in the morning. what i want to know is should this movement in the rotor arm be there?

Wayne

Have you been pulling up on the rotor arm to get it off, this may have popped the little collsr sleeve which is directly under the rotor arm and as a result the up and down travel and side to side is all sloppy. I have done this as mine was seized on and took me ages to work out that the rotor was out of line. If you wiggle the rotor shaft it should re-seat its self, but make sure you've pushed the litle collar back down under the rotor arm.
Hope this helps.

thanks mudbutty,
that does sound probable. yes i actually took off the rotor arm and the symptoms you describe are there. it was dark n wet. did wiggle the rotor shaft. you say you can get it to re seat? easy or a struggle?
stil doesnt explain why a motor running when turned off wouldnt start not long after. but thats motors!

thanks Wayne

there will be some movement as bottom of dizzy shaft has gear pinned on and engages gear on cam ,freeplay taking up when engine turned,hence dynamic timing with strobe been more accurare

the plot thickens!
lifted the cap on mi mates v8, the play is the same both up and down and side to side on the rotor arm, a mechanic mate also had a look,said hes never seen that much play on a rotor arm before on other makes, but must be right as the same as the other V8. got a good spark at both sides. however when attempting to start did notice the distributor turning. The clamp obviously loose. Tried turning the dizzy body a bit at a time and trying to start but still having none of it, just not firing. would have thought it would have at least tried to start.
think i might be looking at more than one problem here, firstl and obviously the dizzy needs setting up and timed properly. secondly after further discussion with the wife who drives the V8 daily, she says a couple of times this lasl coule of weeks it has failed to start, it wouldnt change over to gas only way was to change to petrol briefly then when moving flick it on to gas. IM wondering if the solenoid that controls this has now packed up altogether.
Had a gas service back in January, and the dizzy setup at the same time; so gonna contact the guy tomorrow and get it back to him.
Any thoughts or similar experiences welcome.
Wayne

ignore the gas for now
what you gotta make sure is
you got good spark at the plug and not just at the cap also check that the ht leads arnt shorting out anywhere
next make sure you have fuel pressure at the injecion rail
now prob the injector wires with a volt meter and make sure they are pulsing
if you have all of that then take out all the plugs, disconect all the injectors now spin the engine over for a minute to clean the cylinder of any fuel, either fit new or clean the plugs and refit them and again spin the engine for a few seconds lastlly reconect the injectors and start the engine
if she still dont start then you got a problom but that should do it as a rule

thanks Pobby,
did all that, no fuel at injection rail, traced it back to corroded wires at rear, so fuel pump wouldnt kick in. cleaned all up and put a makeshift cover over to keep the gunge away. up and running back to way it was. so am a happy V8 driver again now. How long for is another question.

Thanks all who posted.

Wayne

make sure you set the ignition timing properly, DONT FORGET!