Enlisted a passing slave!! he did a good job of carefully scraping head, in parts washer, and then demanded a barbeque! (I hope he doesn't read this, he is needed for engine refit!)

A metal rule placed over many parts of head showed no inclination to allow a 4 thou' feeler gauge under... not gonna skim..... :O

Headgasket brought 6 weeks ago from ebay is for a trabant or something.. , need another - after measuring piston protrusion...

Guide seals awkward to get to and well stuck... Only option I seemed to have was thin screwdriver down inside (against oustide of guide) and wrench off.... ;(

All 4 inlets were like this.. only a wire brush could save them... Cyl #4 was much more baked on than rest...

ok so had Wednesday off.... back to business... Valves out, and check spare head for warpage was all I could manage..