Distributor woes..

Hi Folks,

97 V8i Es Auto:

I had an issue with the distributor, the disco was running rough and I was 80% sure it was the dizzy, So I got a nice new shiny one from eBay, came with a 2 wire lead that plugs into the 3 terminal connector, all supposed to fit fine...
Well I am stumped, set to tdc, connected wires, made sure ht leads going where they should.... I am getting sparks but just not firing at all, not even a hint of life.
Even had the local mobile mechanic come and give it a go.... He thinks the new dizzy is just not working or not compatible ?
I have got a second hand but correct part on the way from eBay again...
Any ideas as to what I am missing or anyone had dodgy new parts ?
I'll send it back if the one of the way works fine and get a refund.

Stu

did you get a whole distributor or just the cap? Is it definitely sparking? If there are sparks but no fire I'd suspect the timing's out

its easy to get them 180degrees out which would spark but on the exhaust stroke instead of the compression stroke.

I got a whole new Distributor including cap and rotor arm..
I just can't see how myself and a professional mechanic could both fail to get it right...

I will see what happens with the next one... it thats no worky then its a fault thats developed since taking out the old one.

Stu