When a thread ends like this one never knows, Since further information was not asked for he may have given up. For some it is a really tough situation if tools have not been aquired over the years first or are easily available otherwise.

Generally it did seem like a bad head gasket or cracked head. Plus he had just basically become unemployed. This is depressing if it went on and it is understandable if interest was lost. I will drop him a private message asking him to update. He may just still read the site from time to time. Decided to drop him an email instead.