engine problems

[Mike E]

I've been fixing a few bits and pieces since i got my zook and well i finally got to the motor so i got a mate to give me a hand. we set the timing and tuned it up and got it running real nice then we adjusted the valves and thats where my problem started i bolted the valve cover back on and went to start it and it just wouldn't start so i checked the valves again and tried it again and still didn't start. it wasn't turning over the best so i thought it might of been the battery so i replaced that and that didn't really help now i think the starter motor has had it because it grinds and only works half time. has anyone had similar problems? i'm new to this sort of stuff so any help or advice would be muchly apreciated

Cheers
Mike

[Bruceh]

You sure no one put the dizzy in the wrong way.

[Mike E]

we set the timing to what it said on the bonnet then didn't touch it after that

[scooby_74]

If the starter is grinding, replace it, will have to in a short time anyhow.
zuks seem to need a good crank speed to fire up.
Check the fuel pump is pumpig fuel to the carby, seen them fail regularly when the vehicle has sat for some time.
Fail that feed 12v direct to the + side of the coil ign volt drop can slow there start aswell

[Mike E]

i checked and its getting plenty of fuel i also checked with an old plug and it didn't seem to be getting much spark but the battery is new i read something somewhere that sierras don't get enough power through the ignition or something like that, could that have something to do with my problem?

[alien]

the grinding may also be the ring gear - i wore mine out once before, you can actually just flip it around too, rather than getting a wrecked one.

[Mike E]

i checked the ring gear and most of it is in good condition it just doesn't want to turn over the motor itll grind then stop then grind and every so often it'll turn over the motor like half a turn