Daz - good idea,it has changed from a help topic to a carchat type topic. Tbh I thought earlier today it may now be better in car chat.
Nige, thanks for that,will bear it in mind when I fit the new stat.I have hundreds of bolts etc here,so should be able to find a couple to cut down etc. if need be.
Mr Grumpy - cheers for that.It is enjoyable working through it step by step and solving issues as they appear.Shame its winter and work is getting in the way as I have to keep leaving it due to weather or having to go to work.Im fairly satisfied now that things are heading in the right direction.The only thing I want to do apart from cleaning everything and putting it all abck together,is a compression test. Purely because the mechanic said it had lost compression on one bank. He also said the old oil cooler doesnt leak,but I proved to myself today that it does.