Thanks you for all the continued great advice and feedback - I hope that one day I'll be a useful contributor to the site.
I'm happy to consider even the 'simplest' suggestions and I'll follow every one of the steps you have all suggested including checking the rotation of the distributor , nothing could upset my sensibilities on this .
I don't think the car was touched after it was last parked (and 15 years is probably conservative, based on when the previous owner's most recent sticker tags on his other vehicles)
TBM - I think this is a
motorcarft carb - only based on the fact that all other pieces I've identified are Motorcraft - can't really see any distinguishing features.
If any of you ever find yourself in California I'd be delighted to show you around in the Morgan - assuming it's working by then and I totally agree, I'm 'almost' looking forward to breaking down and delving into my piles of spare parts to get it running again
