Headgasket gone????

Picking up a 1997 1.8 petrol Freelander for £50 which has suffered a headgasket failure, which was repaired for the same fault 2 months ago.
Last time it was done on the side of the road with just a new gasket.
In my ownership I intend to skim the head and use an improved gasket set including new head bolts from a supplier on ebay.
Is there anything else I should do while its in bits. And will this repair last or is this the end of the engine.

Come on now give me good news that it can be saved!!!!!!

Cheers

Last thing, how much should I pay for the skim???

depends skim - £60-120.

mite be worth considering changing the rail at the same time.

or changing the lump for a rover 220turbo lump

Rail???? What is a rail.
What other engines can be thrown in if this one turns out to be duff. I pressume that all the 1.8's are the same as long as the all the original ancils, sensors etc are fitted.

Lee

the head bolts through the block on to a stiffening rail below - the rail was redesigned when the noo gasket was fitted to stiffen up the block a bit more.

other engines - go for the rover 220Turbo lump - it fits with only minor mods to the gearbox input shaft i believe.

change the timing belt too..power steering belt ac belt..all will benefit from renewal in that state.

50 quid

I know they have come down in price, I'd luv to pick up a 1.8 non-runner for that money.

Wait till you get the head off and check the head, liner heights. If she has gone twice there is a good chance engine is scrap.
New oil rail is not compulsory on MLS gasket,

consider new hose mod from land rover, it moves the thermostat. sure the more qualified guys here will know more about it