I've been dumb and bought a Mig miles from home. Car was described as overheating on egay, was in the area for work so went to view it.
'99 3.0 Elite with 75k miles. Oil cooler changed a year or so ago, and little miles driven, also heater had stopped blowing hot air.
Blocked rad methinks, finallyfrom debris from oil cooler failure - and as I had a spare rad I bought the car!
Went down there today with car full of tools and spare rad. Manged to wash out masses of crud from rad (until water ran clear) and also all other pipes. Refilled with water to flush system out and ran up to temp - heater works fine now, so took it out for short drive & temp went off end of scale!

Water is boiling inside block, rad now gets hot (not very hot though), and big hose near battery gets very hot and looks as if it has suction @ the rad end.
So, on the basis that there aint much more left of the cooling system, is the thermostat jammed shut? There is no water in oil or oil in water so I'm thinking it isn't a HG failure. Iv'e looked @ the maint guide and it looks a daunting thing to change!
Any ideas please folks?
Thanks ......... Rob