Freelander 1 1.8K Head Gasket Replacement

Bit early to 'Coo' too loudly, but it has done 4 short trips of about 10-15 miles each and coolant level is stable.
Also, tickover is steady now, it used to blip a bit, sort of 850, 800, 850 etc...

I've done it today as well. However, got a brand new cylinder head for 180 quid (offer accepted) Would cost me around 130 to pressure test, skim, valve reaseat and what not so why not throw in a new one.
In my case again liners were flush with the head. So BW750 was used since I've managed to find on ebay but they went fast....
Again, monkey job done here as well. Silicone used instead of anaerobic, leaking all over the place. Tiny bit of scouring on exhaust cam, must of ran low on oil at some point. I have no spare cams so had to go with these, it's not that bad.
Timing is spot on however engine is a bit rough on idle I hope it's the tappets (new) not yet filled as I can hear them still. If not, I will do a compression test and get take from there.
No more oil in coolant, at least yet.

PS: MLS is ok if quality not ebay crap. Also only ok if liners are tip top all even and proud to the block. If those two conditions are not met, MLS is a waste of time.
You cannot go wrong with BW750 but you can go wrong very easy with MLS.
Payen is very forging. Chances to have a mint block with mint liners are slim nowadays....

100% agree with that last statement!

good luck with the rebuild. I too had to peel off someone’s silicone attempt to seal the cam ladder on my FL1. Madness.