job done for now ..ended up with a 2nd hand radiator at the last minute, dads mate who is a wrecker had a 2000 model come in with rear end damage with a very new looking radiator, seems the owner recently experienced my dilemma and fitted new radiator hoses and heat tap etc..
Bad part was when they pulled it out they cut all the hoses
and snapped the barbs off the new heat tap by yanking the hoses.. not to worry bought new parts from repco and used the radiator, is prob as good as you will ever get for 2nd hand so I was happy with that,esp seeing it was free
Will keep an eye on her over the comming days and see how it goes.
Jet