So we have a series three that sat for two years but started up extremely easily and drove (sort of). We swapped an electronic ignition for the points and fitted a new ignition coil (which works as it creates a nice spark with spark plug out) however now when we try to start the engine turns no where near fast enough to start the car and has a wierd rhythm. It’s not the battery as we tried to jump start of a car and pack and both made no difference. Engine turns nicely with all plugs out. To fit the electronic ignition we disconnected and removed the battery so that might have something to do with it, but it doesn’t seem to be earthing because we haven’t touched any of that and it used to start fine. Any ideas ?

 

My first thought is that the ignition timing got out of adjustment with the work done.

 

We did think of this but surely this wouldn’t affect it so much that the car barely turns over?

 

It can if the timing is far enough advanced that the cylinder firing works against the starter. I’m not saying that this is your issue. It’s the first thing I’d check.

 

agree, set timing back. I'm not one to believe in coincidences much but you also may have a voltage drop on cranking (a voltage leak somewhere) usually indicated by something getting warm!!, or the starter gave up if it was used much?

 

Try connecting the juice to the starter motor directly to see if it cranks at normal speed (please be extra careful it's out of gear)

This happened to me on a Series2A, and turned out to be a dodgy starter relay.

 

I'd say the ideas above should of revealed the malady, any new results?