if its too far advances it will try firing before the pistons gets to the top trying to send it back down the bore hence the sudden stop in the starter motor, yes can cause damage if not sorted out very soon.
not just starter motor damage either.
a bit of kentuckey windage is needed for now.
a couple of methods that can be used, i bring the idle up to 2000rpm and disconnect vacuum advance lines and advance the dizzy (clockwise) untill the revs stop going up, bring the idle bqck to 2000rpm and turn the dizzy back untill the revs drop by about 600rpm, you should be pretty much dead on target with that one.
nip it up and connect the vacuum lines back up if your using any.
next step is startt he car put foot on clutch, engage 1 st gear and go and have some fun it it.
enjoy, this is all done if you dont have a timing light, its just easier with one.

Thanks heaps for that Minicranks! I did this exact thing today and she's starting much better!

The funny thing is that I advanced it quite a fair bit before the revs stopped rising When I retarded it back so that it drops 600rpm, I think I am further advanced than when I started off although I could be wrong...

Anyway it's running great and starting easy too so it can't be too far from correct

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

like i said in the start you could have been too far retarded to start with, you will notice the car revs up a bit further and cleaner.

Cheers mate!

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

is it starting easier now? you said you think you were further advanced than you were before but not sure.
let us know.
bang a timing light on it next time you get a chance and set it up right.

It's starting much much easier. I will probably get Kev to help me out on Sunday with a timing light. Thanks Cranks

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K