Maybe a bit late in the day, but here is a message from Chris Savage (I'm saying 'hi' from Chris) which I'm relaying for Guy:

Re Guy’s engine issue. Assuming it is due to lots of crankcase pressure rather than ingesting lots on overrun (presume Guy has done the usual overrun test), and given those poor CT results (I used to see well over 220psi on my aspirated engine from cold and 190 on the LC supercharged one), I’d say rings for sure. If it was valve seating/seal, there wouldn’t be the loss of oil. If it’s had work done that included rings/liners before, then almost certainly it’s got glazed bores due to pussy-footing about during the ring bedding period, so there’s a slim chance it might respond to a de-glaze…but most likely it would want new rings.

For decent head gaskets, I used to use EB spares but don’t know how they are for the older stuff these days. Certainly avoid e-bay and cheap pattern kits like the plague.


As you probably figured, I’m not a club member any more so can’t access the forum or I would likely have chimed in as I assume guy posted this. Say hi for me.

Cheers

Chris