12R / R Series engine firing Order. HELP NEEDED!

Hello all! 

First time poster long time peruser. 

I have recently acquired a 1981 Hiace RH20 minubus/camper conversion with the 12R 1600cc petrol. 

I've gone through the engine doing the usual bits, filters, thermostat, water pump, hoses, gaskets, points, coil, plugs and leads. 

In my hubris, I completely removed the HT leads and distributor without marking my distributor orientation or firing order (Idiot i know). 

I have since refurbed the distributor, replaced the cap, points and leads alas I just can't get the thing to run.

I have timed the rotor arm point 1/cyl1 @ 8'btdc on starter motor turnover with the strobe which i feels a good starting point. 

Now here's the real head scratcher. Firing order. 

The 12R Manual has the firing order at the usual 1-3-4-2. No Joy. 
A small paragraph in the manual "10-12 Ignition Timing" also states the firing order as 1-2-4-3... It ran on 3 cyl on this order. 

Any help here would be greatly appreciated!! 

Kind Regards, 
BRENT_EAGLE 

421130169-manual-12r.pdf

1-3-4-2 clockwise direction looking at it top down, 1 is nearest the block

possibility that you have the dizzy shaft out by 180

Thanks for that Flash Bob. 

I'm fairly confident i have the rotor shaft in the right spot as it points to point 1 on distrib cap when i have cylinder 1 around TDC (compression stroke). 

Any idea where the manual got the 1-2-4-3 from? 

Very much appreciate the feedback! 

clockwise vs anti clockwise looks like an early manual, there are variations of the distributor with and without governor

edit. that manual also covers the 2R

Had a look at a photo from day one and she's 1342 as you say. 

Must have ran off a wasted spark. 

I shall report back with results. 

That books being taken with a pinch of salt from here out haha. 

Well that worked! 

A whole new set of issues as she won't idle and has occasional misfire. 

Little wiff of white smoke out the back but alas i reckon the fuel mix is way off and carb needs a rebuild. 

I'll keep her lit and throw up some photos when she's on the road. 

The timing is still out or the valves need adjusting/over adjusted, if it's been set for 3-6 months or more the fuel has gone bad (thanks to ethanol)

Replaced fuel filter and ran about 15L of new juice thru her and it's idling well. 

Timing likely needs some fine adjustment and the carb will be fully rebuilt in early Nov (kit in the post). 

I'll wait until fueling is 100% and then set about the fine adjustments. 

I've been told these 12R engines had a nice quiet tick over. 

We even got the heaters and demister to function with the new hoses to the heater core! Happy with that.