well i bought a 1600 xflow +90 to make it 1700 complete took it to the guy who does all my engine work
(B.E.S.T engines york) and got a call today to say its fooked!! bugger! the heads cracked between valves and the bore on no 4 is too far gone..........................so if any has a 1600 711M bottom end (or complete) that they are selling or know where there is one, would be greatly appreciated if you let me know! thanks!!

 

These are getting seriously hard to get hold of now, why not go for the 2L version
instead ?, the head cracks there are pretty normal, and unless going for silly power will still work fine.
I ran a head with cracks there(3) for over 4 years, abused the hell out of it, never missed a beat, that was around 70,000-80,000 miles of use, that was running around 130bhp, with a C3(auto) box, with 1300 torque convertor, plus box was modded, one of the best cars I've had, love the mk 2's.
tabetha