lister d timing

ok then i am getting fed up with the d now as the only way i can get it to run is by setting the timing to about 35 - 40 deg advanced !! i have checked the valve and points gaps so many times now. when it is running it sounds ok and will run all day. i have ran out of ideas now so anyone out there got any ideas ? i think this could be why it ended up in the scrap yard !! maybe it wasnt a good £50 spent after all ... lol ...

I know this sounds silly but just try it, Close the gap on the Plug down to 10 Thow and try again.
SYD

tried that one even tried a tighter points gap.

What hapens when you try to start it, ie back fires through carb or exhaust ?

when its in the correct place it does nothing unless the air valve is pressed in then it will do a small back fire through the carb.

Right, are the original marks still on the flywheel and have you checked by putting a rod down the cylinder that the mark is in the correct position ??

yep both are there and i have checked its tdc. there is a long scribed line (origional) on the center mount section of the flywheel (would normally be covered by a pulley) at about the 35 -40 degree point so i dont know what that is for either but it runs there.

Mmmm, Good one, I don't mean to sell coals to Newcastle as they say but the timing is set just as the points are opening in the direction that the mag turns, I assume that is what you are doing.
Might be worth a new condenser, to make sure the spark is good under compression,
Difficult one, I have owned many Ds and still have 7 and all are timed on TDC best for display, only advance them if they are working.
Sorry cant help any more, bet you will find it is something Daft.
SYD

Martin have you got both valves timed and tappets adjusted correctly.
The cam is not gone square/ flat.
Is the Mag running the right way.
Chris

thanks for your advise sir.
as far as i am conserned the mag is going the correct way (arrow and clockwise) and set correctly, the tappets are adjusted correctly (cant remember what now but it is what it said in the resto book i have got) and i think the valves are timed correctly. i am going to take the cam out next to check that as its the only thing i havent checked !!