Thank you very much for your responses guys.

James, the car is at my friends garage and will stay there until he's fixed it. I dropped it off there as I knew it was something bad, and so I have his car for now..

I dont think the timing has jumped because she was still running sweet with no misfire or lumpiness. And I made sure I took it really easy until I dropped her off-barely getting over 2000rpm, and taking it really smoothly to reach it.

Guys, do you think I need to do all the things J. Belknap has done? Do I not just need the guides, and the gaskets/seals etc? Assuming there is no other damage found..

Also, you guys 'across the pond' talk about 'valley pans', or 'oil pans' is that the same as our 'sumps'? Sorry to be ignorant to your terminology, but I want to be sure we are talking about the same thing.

Basically I just need to know the bare bones of what is required, and then get the things I find damaged etc later and replace if needed. I totally understand your way of doing things J. Belknap, I'm just praying I dont have to go to that extreme and just replace the guides. Or am I wrong to expect/hope this?

Your beast's engine bay is a piece of art by the way J. Belknap!

Once again, thanks very much for your advice.

Ian