the worst luck here. who can do worse than this??

The Land Rover Workshop Manual says that headbolts may be used five times before being replaced.....unless you have a service history that tells you when they were fitted then its probably best to spend the 20 odd quid on new ones.Screwfix do an OK torque wrench for under £20,gasket is under 20.Headset,what?£30?A 3/8 10mm deep socket with flankdrive is handy for the inlet manifold,plus extensions.As is a deep 15mm for the exhaust one.Some nut spinner things,like a screwdriver with a socket on the end are nice for the jubilee clips but not essential.

For cleaning the head and top of block nylon scouring pads and sponges are good,and a can of paraffin too.You wil want something like brake cleaner to degrease the faces before fitting.Its very important to make sure that there is nothing AT ALL down the head bolt holes,the "special tool" I described above helps.When it comes to angle tightening the bolts after torquing,you can make your own circle of card/plastic and use a protractor to mark out the angles.Im sure its all on here somewhere.

NRG,I know where shipley is,it was more a general observation mate ! And thanks,20/20 sounds more like it,,,,gives me some arguing material !

looking at some of the responses I have had, I must admit I was a little shocked to see that the skim and pressure test, I was looking at paying £200... wtf?! and you guys are saying about 20-100.. (that feels a lot better on the wallet and my sanity.)

got some time off soon. with a few cups of coffee, a camera to record all disassembly order, I should be fine. working outside, will get cracking.
will let you know how I get on..

Want to say a massive thankyou to all those who have replied to my questions and queries, once I become mobile, I am looking forward to being able to help some poor creature who has dramas with there beloved LR

A promise is a promise.

ok, new question, need to know if anyone around the woolwich area knows where to get a cylinder head (300tdi 2.5) skimmed and pressure tested. who are reliable...

cheers!

Right.. for all those still reading this thread, found a place to get skimmed and pressure tested for £40 each... if your paying over this message me, and I will tell you exactly who is doing it and where it is.

its time to get cracking...

Hope I have made a lot of people feel better about their situations.

cheers.