Land Rover Repair: 1993 RRC Cranks, wont run, smell gas, fuel delivery

Question
Hi John,

I've had my 93 RRC for about 5 years now (major resto) and have become familair with most issues...but am stumped on this one- brought it into the barn to change a trans cooler line- also installed a new battery, now cranks, almost catches and won't run. I'm embarrassed to say that I dropped a wrench and shorted the battery to the body for a second- checked all fuses and coil and they are fine. Smell gas after cranking- wants to but won't start. This truck always starts at the touch of the key- it's just weird. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Answer
If you smell gas there is probably fuel, and the distributor is probably working too because the fuel injection is triggered by a signal from the distributor.  Did you twist the distributor and change timing?  Is there s[ark getting to the plugs?  You just have to test the basics - fuel delivery, spark, compression to get the answer.  It's very hard to guess what you might have done from here