Phreon - your thread was useful pulling it off, thanks. The head is still off as I am on holiday, but it will go back on Monday.
My block did not have a check valve between 2 and 3, and its been opened by a PO as it had a Goetz head gasket and the E12 bolts.
I think I am going to wait to do the bottom end stuff (oil relief, bearings, seals, etc) until next winter. The head and timing stuff looks so good I am going to keep it that way.