My '67 420, 40K miles, hasn't run easily in 5 years. I installed a good battery and it actually cranks over nice. Gas pedal was realllll stiff upon first pump, and still is stiff, although it is working the carbs via the cable. The passenger's side fuel pump will buzz, but the driver's side will not. There is an automatic choke I assume? I also need to buy a new rotor cap and wires. They look newer, but 5+ years old. I would have thought I would at least gotten a putter with starting fluid, but nothing. Still have yet to check the basics.

 

Hi, I found myself in exactly the same boat when trying to reawaken my s-type after a 5 year lay up.

Both fuel pumps were dead to begin with, but a few knocks with a rubber mallet to the top managed to get one ticking away nicely.
The other one I had to take the top of and free the points then clean with a diamond file before it would fire up. I then found that the gasket was leaking anyway so needs a rebuild kit which I got from Burlen LTD Home page

Once fuel was there I checked for a spark from the coil to the distributor. It's a long time since I worked on this car and had forgotten that the leads screw on they don't just push..... I found there was a spark but a bit weak.

The car would turnover nicely but still wouldn't fire.
I had a very distant memory of the car failing to start and calling out the AA who simply gave the distributor and ht leads a very good spray of WD40 so thought I would give that a go......

After a about 5 seconds spinning with the pedal fully down the car started! It didn't run smoothly for a bit but did when warm.

So fuel, spark WD........

Peter

Btw you might want to put this in the mk 1,2 and s-type forums as your 420 is much closer to these than the giant 420G in this forum.