Darylj, you ever crank over a engine with no fuel supply?

 

Yes. Every time I put something back together that's had a top end or more apart to get oil back up top before I fire it. This is standard procedure, not just for me.

No, it doesn't crank faster because there is no rail pressure. If wetting down the cylinder walls with a bit of fuel makes your truck crank slower, your rings are toast.

 

I have seen several engines crank at ridiculous (2500+rpm) speeds when a fuel pump failed. Bloody scary when it happens the first time.

 

That's partial firing due to insufficient fuel. With no fuel it would crank at just the same speed as with no spark. You need both (or lowered compression) to make it crank any faster.

 

I haven't heard a Rover do it but I've heard plenty of engines with broken timing belts, chains and bent valves spin quickly as if there isn't any resistance on the starter i.e. no compression....

 

Right...no compression. That's how this happens. Broken timing belts holding valves open, bent valve/broken piston tops form the same or melted pistons (my suspicion in this case). Not absence of fuel.

No fuel is very different from an inadequate amount of fuel pressure or volume plus spark, and it's quite a diagnostically relevant distinction to make. The overheating story told here doesn't lead me to think "failing fuel pump." If someone can connect those dots for me, please do so.