Pride and joy should be back by Tuesday after entrusting it to my local garage for what seems like ages for an engine rebuild as well as sundry other items.
New guy at said garage specialises in American engines.
Have heard the motor running and it looks and sounds excellent.
Thought I would put this post in and some further updates with staged rebuild photos over the next couple of weeks or so for the benefit of any Hampshire based Mopar owners who may need a reasonably priced rebuild, can't recommend the guy yet until I see that all is indeed well (and find out what it has actually cost me !!) but it sure is looking good, I sympathise with you Dave over the long absence of your car, I know the feeling, but it'll all be worth it in the end when she's back gleaming in the summer sun...
Yeeeeehawwwwww..