Burning and bubbling??

Hi all, just got back from a 100 mile trip from the coast pulling the extention (caravan) and not having missed a beat, was well chuffed.
dropped the `van off and done another 20 miles or so and we could smell burning so pulled into a garage, popped the bonnet and the expansion tank was bubbling away and smoke was pouring out from the back of the engine below the distributor cap. Then wouldn`t tick over!
Are there any oil pipes that could split around there?
Temperature gauge sat just over half way as it has done all weekend so hopefully it isn`t fatal!
Any ideas?
Oh, by the way, its a 4.6HSE

distributer cap??? if its one of them get worried!

Sorry, havent had a petrol for a few years!!! last time i had one the leads plugged into there but its been ssooooo long. (and this is my first V8)!

dunno what that could be, might be head gasket gone at the back or possibly core plug.

what year is it?

have you checked water pipes, are any split?

It`s a 97 plate. couldnt see any water leaks but there is water in the expansion tank. there is oil dripping from underneath though so was hoping it would be something simple. Well, simple for a P38 anyway!
Im hoping the burning was just oil on the manifold but it was too hot to have a good look

oil leaks are a pain to find! they tend only to be visible while engine is bieng run!

Check the rocker cover gaskets, or could be the valley gasket (Inlet manifold) or end seal(s). If the rocker cover gaskets are made from cork, replace them with the later rubber type. Can't think of any water pipes that run at the back of the engine, as Gav says, there is a core plug at the back of the block or the head gasket may be gone..but you say you are not losing water..check the easy things first..Rocker covers, then Valley gasket/seals.