cu Aircooled timing out/odd help

[Johnmck]

Hi
Had an issue with engine overheating while ago. Been away working. Changed oil filters new oil plugs ht leads and now running but bit rough- sort of odd back fire.
checked timing as thought it might be cause of problem but its odd - discovered that leads to plugs arent set as per haynes, 1234 anti clockwise from bottom RH, but 1 and 3 switched and 2 and 4 so from bottom RH corner 3412 and on checking timing with strobe light timing mark is showing at80 btdc- right at start of the plastic gauge.
I assume the 2 are related if i try to change the plugs round wont start and if i try to get the pully mark up near tdc goes rough and cuts out!
I have always just replaced HT leads like for like and the garage was last to do timing a while ago.

do i leave alone and set timing by how well it runs or can I swap leads to correct and set timing by hand initially and then use strobe once running

Cheers
John

[bigherb]

The distributor turns clockwise so the order should be 1432, always work in the direction of rotation.
Has it still got the original distributor?
Number 1 is not always where it should be on the distributor if the drive shaft has been put in out of alignment or it has had an aftermarket distributor fitted.

It should look like this if an original distributor in the correct posistion.

[Johnmck]

Hi Thanks I believe it to be the original distributure. I have never moved it but garage may of. How do I know if the shaft in the wrong way, and how do I change it .The vacuum advance etc is in the same place as your photo and is in line with a mark I put on it and engine years ago.