petrol in the sump

hi all just wondering if anybody has had a problem with petrol in the sump i have recently bought a 77mk1 golf as a non runner got it sparking and fuel to cylinders but she still wouldn't start so i tried towing it but it seems to have pushed all the oil and a mixture of petrol out through the air filter box (no filter in the box) and has got petrol in the sump has anybody seen this before or is the engine completly gone

Petrol in the sump is usually due to flooding. It can flood if there's an ignition issue (no spark), because if the fuel doesn't burn it needs to go somewhere, and can make its way past the rings, especially since its downwards. Not all of it would vapourise and then make it out the exhaust unburned.

i had the same problem is it an injection gti?.mine was the injectors irregular spray pattern so wouldnt start resulting in bore washing which is what you got.you need to drain your engine oil and change filter and be a good idea to do an engine flush as if left will do your seals in.

Assuming its a carb engine with it being a '77, the fuel pump bolted to engine may have a split diaphram that allows petrol to get into the block via the operating rod/plunger.