Thanks for your replies / comments guys. The head gasket had shown a slight oil leak at the typical rear passenger corner for about a year ( 12000 miles)
Never got to be any larger leak / problem. I never had any "white- smoke", or rough idle / or engine running hot signs. No noticeable coolent in Oil on changing.....every 4 to 5,000 miles. I had it in for a motor mount replacement, and the tech noticed a problem in the radiator bottle....white foaming grease !!! On removal of the head, the damage was obvious...the inside 4 cylanders were worn approx 3 mils wider than the piston heads...
The cam is fine....and the tech thinks the crank will be O.K. as well. Does anyone have an accurate idea for the cost of a new short block ?

Black Mercedes...your estimate of $8,000 for a new engine...it that complete....or a short block ? and is it quite accurate ?
Many thanks for your help .