Slow turnover with misfire

[Chitts]

Dear all,
As a regular viewer of the forums and user of other advice I have a real mystery.
I have a 2.0 CU (twin webers) 1983 van and up to this week it has always started and run well. Regularly serviced.
This week I have tried to start it (last started 5 weeks ago) but it turned over very slowly, charged the battery, still no joy. Replaced the battery and earthing leads including gearbox mount one, cleaning all surfaces as I did so. On advice from other posts have changed starter (new from JK) and bush. Still no joy. I was advised to check fuel flow that is fine. If I take the plugs out it turns over fine. With new plugs rotor arm and cap it seems to be misfiring occasionally, but still sounds like a flat battery.
Any idea where to look now?
Thanks in advance
Simon

[mioba]

Have you got a voltmeter. An essential item for a T25 owner.

[Chitts]

No voltmeter, not sure what to check with it.

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Post up some good clear photos, lhs engine bay, centre, and rhs. Show the distributor set-up.

Remove starter motor, emery paper clean its hole in the bellhousing, make sure the bottom bolt is properly tightened.

Use jump leads and a second battery to see if there is a difference.

Air-Cooled Bliss...

Cordialement,

[Chitts]

Here are some images, as said with no plugs in it turns over well, as soon as plugs are in it is slow and starts popping from exhaust.
First are position of rotor arm at TDC


Thanks for any help in advance

[hubcap61]

Distributor looks to be 180° out. There is a mark on distributor at around 4 o clock . That should TDC. You can see mark in picture.

[Chitts]

Any suggestions how this has changed so much from the last time it ran. Not changed or moved it at all.

[jigs]

Had a similar issue recently, the slow start bit, like you I swapped out battery, starter and cleaned the earth points up. Still the same, added an earth wire from one of the starter bolts to the chassis and it fires up straight away now. So clearly still an earth problem but this seemed to fix it for now. Might be worth a try.

[hubcap61]

Any suggestions how this has changed so much from the last time it ran. Not changed or moved it at all.

Suspect engine not at TDC in picture. Rotate engine 360° . Remove No.1 spark plug and use a screwdriver or similar to check piston at top of stroke. Rotor arm should be lined up with mark on rim of distributor.

[Chitts]

So this morning I have made sure TDC was correct (this was not in the pictures) checked all of the leads, and she started first turn, still running lumpy and struggles to tick over and will need the carbs balancing and a tune up but she has come back to life.
The old girl probably did not like me registering her as a classic this week.