Land Rover Repair: LANDY WILL NOT START, distributor cap, firing order

Question
PLEASE COULD YOU HELP I HAVE A 3.9 V8 DISCOVERY.LANDY WAS RUNING BUT IN THE DARK YOU COULD SEE THAT LEADS WERE SPARKING.I CHANGED LEADS AND DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND MADE SURE THAT THEY WHENT BACK ON IN FIRING ORDER AS MANUAL SAID.NOW I HAVE DONE THIS THE LANDY WILL NOT START.I HAVE A SPARK AND I CAN SMELL FUEL ALTHOUGH PLUGS DO NOT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE FUEL ON THEM.BATTERY HAS 12VOLTS.FUEL FILTER IS OK AND FUEL PUMP IS WORKING.IT DOESNT SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO START OR TRY TO.THE LANDY IS ON AN M PLATE.MANY THANKS RON.

Answer
Hi Ron,

here's what I understand:

spark plug wires were worn and you could see sparks in the dark;

you replaced the wires and changed the distributor cap;

now the engine won't start.

Your sure the wires were installed correctly?  I do them ONE-AT-A-TIME to be sure they're installed correctly.

What if you put back the old distributor cap?  Usually, when I replace the cap, I replace the rotor too.

I think its just a question of the changes you made. Either the cap is at fault, the rotor, or the wiring is completely off.

Start backwards in swapping back parts. If you're sure the wires are all ok, swap back the old distributor cap.  Make sure the HT lead to the coil is firmly seated too.

You did not mess with the distributor's position?  Timing is everything.

Best of luck,

JohnMc