This might be something you already know but always keep the leads apart and not touching the engine block...I don't know if this would matter on the Rover V8 but I had an older ford 289 once and when it was cold and wet sometimes it would miss heaps and I think it had something to do with it. The motor has lead clips on it anyway which you can use for this. Just make sure you have the right set for the engine and make it all very nice and tidy and you'll be right.
Glad it worked out!

