TR2/3/3A 60 TR3A wont start???????????????

On my '60 TR3A, which has had a complete frame off restoration, I have spark and fuel to the plugs but it will not start!
What's wrong? I have tried all of the usual failure to start remedies but It still wont start. I'm getting a tad frustrated. I'm going to try the old fuel in the cylinder trick tomorrow and see if that won't get something going.

Your thoughts and ideas greatly appreciated, as always.

Cheers, Tinkerman

Is there a way I could have gotten the distributer 180 degrees out of norm?

Dick,
check you pm's.
Marv

Tinkerman said:

...Is there a way I could have gotten the distributer 180 degrees out of norm?

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Yes, that and incorrect plug wire orientation are two common ways one can have fuel & spark but no fire. Both are timing issues (timing: the third leg of the stool).

If you bring #1 up to TDC on a compression strike then you can look at where the rotor is pointed and where the timing mark sits. Some determine compression stroke by sticking a finger in the spark plug hole and feeling the compression (will want to pop your finger out) though a surer way is to look at the rockers to confirm that both valves on #1 are closed with the intake having closed most recently.

Have you had the distributor out since you had the engine running on the 13th?

Does it just spin and not catch at all, or do you get any kind of pop/fire/stutter as you crank it? Usually with timing issues it at least tries to fire, but I dont think I have ever had one 180 degrees out, maybe wouldn't fire at all then.

glemon said:

...I dont think I have ever had one 180 degrees out, maybe wouldn't fire at all then.

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If 180° off then it fires at the top of the exhaust stroke (exhaust valve open) and usually nothing much happens.

Is this the motor that was running last week? If so and you have not removed the distributor and turned the motor, you will not be 180. The distributor only goes in one way. The little dog on the bottom of the distributor is slightly off set. On a fresh rebuilt tr3 the plugs often fowl out until things get sorted out, I would check the plugs first.

Check that the plug connections are on the correct spark plug.

I'm just glad that Don chimed in!