Redid the head gaskets yesterday - think I should put studs in - anyway ran sweet for ten miles then a misfire and a backfire so now dropping one or two cylinders will do compression test and feedback later
This engine wont win I have more patience that it haha

Wish I had the expertise and (I assume) facilities as you sandy. My 2000 4.6 encountered massive over heating last Thurs with major coolant lose - booked in to local garage to sort the problem (assume blown HG). Would you have any idea of roughly what costs I am expected to dish out? Beginning to weaken and thinking about changing vehicle......I need to be talked out of it!!

First thing to do is find out why it overheated thats the main problem as for head gaskets mine has lpg so have to strip all that off if yours is just petrol should be able to do gaskets in about 5 hours depends if they need skimmed probably do about 100 quid and gasket and bolts about 60 quid so all in not bad but get the cooling problem sorted
Did mine on the drive and dead easy all you need are a few tools lots of advice on here go for it

if you put up your whereabouts parkheadlad,you never know somebody might be local who would be able to either help or advise you.