Thanks folks, that was my thinking too that it was going to be a right-off as far as the engine is concerned.

The car itself has a few broken areas around the suspention and although it works it is taking time to check it and tighten it all up on each run.

Can you recommend a good 1/8th scale car to start with that is not too pricey and is in kit form for me to build myself as I like to know how it all goes together, get a better understanding of it to diagnose any problems.

I was stupid and hasty as I had every intention of getting a failsafe, just never got round to it. Lesson learned and an expensive one at that! I was told that the engine was a good one and retailed for about £400 which was why I was enquiring about fixing it.

@Roelof - The colling head is purple and an 8 port sleeve so I will not bother fixing it and as Pattojnr mentioned, it will be safer just to get a new one anyway.

Again thanks to all that replied and I will await replies as to a good starting kit.