Land Rover Repair: starting problem, land rover discovery, vacuum advance

Question
Hi John:
I have just recently acquired a 1995 land rover discovery.  I have gone ahead and replaced the shocks and springs, exhaust system, all worn  hoses, serpentine belt and performed a tune up: including plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, PCV tee and hoses.

My problem arose after the tune up.  After I changed the plugs and wires, I started the truck and it ran fine. I went ahead and changed the cap and rotor and tried to start it again and it wouldn't.  I checked the function of the coil and distributor and everything was OK.  The plugs I took out also looked good, a sign that the engine is in good shape.  The only thing I noticed was small cracks in the hose that runs from the vacuum advance unit at the base of the distributor to the air intake mechanism.  I played with the hose a little bit and ended up breaking it further, which didn't help the situation.  I tried to mend it for the time being but it didn't seem to work because the car still won't start.  

Could the problem with this hose cause the truck not to start? and can you recommend a place to buy just the hose. I found the vacuum advance unit online but not the hose part.  thanks very much.  

Answer
Hi Lawrence,

you'll have to replace that hose.  It does not have to match exactly what was there. In fact, LR had changed this and it is now a direct vacuum hose from nipple to nipple!  So long as the hose fits tightly over both ends, it should be good.  Most auto parts stores will sell vacuum hose by the foot and you only need about 16 or 18 inches.  

Recap:
BEFORE you changed the rotor and distributor cap, the Disco ran fine.  AFTER the rotor and distributor cap were changed the Disco would not start.  Dead silence? Starter is working? Firing is ok?

Can you check to make sure the coil wire is firmly inserted and connected to both ends : distributor and coil!

So, replace the vacuum hose and verify that coil HT lead is correctly installed and this should cover the problem.  If not, write me back and detail what is "not starting", ie. does not turn over, no click, engine turns over but won't start, whirring only, dead silence....

Best of luck,

JohnMc