As always thanks for everyone's comments and input. I have good news! I am keeping DTR (well unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse!!!
) I just love driving it!
I have to agree with Steve, I was always taught never to use anything on a head gasket as well.
Nothing was binding as I mentioned earlier and the head was faced and not skimmed. It's a nice early head and by skimming I'll shorten its lifespan which is why I welded it then faced it. This allows it to be skimmed in the future if needed. I haven't re torqued the head yet but the water leak seems to have stopped, this has been replaced by an oil weep though which is probably coming from the copper O ring on the gasket. This will probably go with a re-torque which I will do today.
It was used every day last week to run errands and ferry the kids around, even with no seat belts! My daughter announced to one of her friends in the school car park at the top of her voice that it had no seat belts in the rear, you should have seen the disapproving looks! I have to admit that having no belts is much easier, I just open the door, throw the kids in, close it and drive off! However it's not safe, some stupid mother deliberately pulled out in front of me and I had to do an emergency stop (locked all 4 wheels up) so new belts will be fitted.
130 miles in and I have been slowly opening it up, revs never going above 3500 and below 1500, no labouring and full throttle etc... I did 25 miles up and down the M3 yesterday to see how it ran. Wow, up to an indicated 130kph in overdrive top at around 3250rpm and sat there very happily. It started to get a bit hot though, half way between 1/2 and 3/4. The temp went back down to normal once I got back on to the Odiham Road so I put this down to the engine still being a bit tight, the heater being on cold and it was hot here, it ran really well after that though. I'll do the same again today and see how the temp sits.
I do have another Payen gasket set which I managed to source and after the first oil change I have a plan for the car! Alun knows (don't spill the beans Alun!!), but it involves a set of HS4s that I have. I have also got a revotec fan kit to fit, those who know me will know that I really don't like mechanical fans!!
As ever, all original items that come off go into a box so that the car can be reverted back to 100% stock if wanted.
First job today after I have done the kids sand pit is to fit new seat belts and I have some Mintex pads so I'll try and get them in.
I do want to get it properly resprayed at some point as well, probably next year now. I'll try and get both EGR and DTR done at the same time.