So she's running!
Fitted the water Rail (pipe), new stat, new connecting pipes and water pump. No leaks or weeps - great. Emptied the system, refilled with anti freeze mix and then got her up to temp. I'd changed the plugs whilst the rail was off and so the oil (20 years old) and the filter was next - talk about overdue.
Oddly I'd added a bit of STP additive to the two gallons of best I'd put in and the pumps noisy again (very) and she seems to be running very rich and hunting slightly, tick over on the slow side and so I adjusted and it seemed marginally better. Slight 'sponge' on the pedal first press so I'm gonna' bleed all round again and see how we are. Catch 22 really, I can't go far yet because of MOT but need to run because of the (hopefully) impending MOT - figures.... All lights are working fine and even managed to repair the washer bottle - I've seen tougher egg shells than the petrified plastic it's made from. Certainly getting there slowly.
Annoyingly the back box decided to 'hole' - must have been the heat and it was poor anyway! Does anyone know where I can get one without the need to ring Bob Diamond?? Any help would be appreciated