vavle clearences

[69 panel porn]

ive checked my valve clearences as i have a starting issue and now it wont fire up and when i turn the engine over with a spanner i can hear a massive gush of air come out wen i turn it over have i set them completely right?
is there any 1 in the midlands that i could borrow for a hr or so just to give me a pointer to what is up with my van

 

[lard]

Not nearby so no help there, but the gush of air I get on mine anyway as I turn it over with a spanner so wouldn't think that necessarily indicated a problem - I'd recommend double checking them again, and make sure you start at TDC (so TDC mark is inline with the split in the case on the pulley) - also remember it can be 180 degrees out so check that the rotor arm is pointing to the notch on the dizzy rim / spark lead no.1 (and not no.3) then try again? Also make sure if you took the dizzy cap off to check TDC that all is back on properly and leads are all connected/correct order?

 

[69 panel porn]

this is my problem abit i havent got a notch out where tdc is on my dizzy but if the dizzy caps on at tdc it the rotor arm would be pointing where the lead off spark plug no1 would be is that correct? im just compairing it againt my bottom pully as that has got the degress on it and tdc and bdc on it but not 100% if its correct thats all :?: :?: :?:

 

[mattd1984]

Have you adjusted the points? Could the gap have closed up?

 

[71Westy]

I get a rush of air on turning mine with a spanner.

You are correct about the rotor arm - should be pointing at No1 spark plug when that is at TDC. If you're not sure about TDC being correct on you pulley, you can check that - probably easiest to check No 4 due to access (that'll be 180 degrees if logic serves me right) - I used a chopstick through the plug hole. I stuck some tape on a visible bit and a bit on the engine and marked with a pencil to finely check when it was absolutely TDC.

Non-starting could be lots of things - worth checking points, all connections to coil, dizzy, spark at plugs etc. Then fuel cut-off solenoid, fuel etc

Good luck!

Nick