Well, having changed the inlet manifold gasket, my cooling problems seem to be over (touches wood just in case) and on top of that the old bus passed it's MOT this afternoon (advisory on a delaminating rear number plate). It's now had 6 MOTs since new and always passed with no problem (barring a headlamp adjustment and a bulb!) so I guess I'll be keeping it for another 12 months at least.
Glad to have you still in the fold so to speak.
