Not a head gasket, PLEASE!

[julian]

Put 400km on the car since getting it back 3 days ago, which included a long return trip to Yorke Peninsula to test out the new boat.
No steam save a bit on a very chilly morning. I think I nailed it.

[mattw]

good to hear. makes me think I should take a close look at mine, just in case. Its not the first time i've seen it happen

[julian]

Well looks as if the manifold gaskets were only half the problem. Plenty of combustion gases evident in the radiator today and still using up water.
Would appera that I now have the choice of selling the car with the fault and moving on, or biting the bullet and paying for this job, a decision that i will have to make over the weekend.
Thanks to all the people who offered advice (especially steverisingsun), it did help, however it appears this problem has extended beyond my ability.