Gave up on this for the winter and think I might try again, whilst timing up the engine with a mate I bent some valves and somehow the pots were full of water so when I turned it over, water shot out the plug holes when I took the spark plugs out, so I blew another headgasket whilst trying to get it running!! anyone know what could of happend? we made sure it was TDC etc..

maybe a cracked block?

Thanks, Joe.