Norm it seems to look better every day. It honestly looks like a brand new base to the casual observer.

Now with the engine. I found no packing in the muffler so used up my last spare packing I had scavenged off another. Quietened it down a bit but still revs like a jet engine (not good) so will have to have a look at the manifold o rings next *sigh*.
Is it possible the air leak is occurring where it meets the block? I guess that's where the silicone comes in.

PS: found scoring on the piston and a couple of score lines on the bore when I checked through the exhaust portal. Damn! Rings looked ok.

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!