Yes - Redex is sometimes used in desperate circs !! Diesel fuel is actually said to be better. Both can really only be expected to do anything on an engine that has been lying about unused for a while - and so the rings have 'gummed up'. I suspect the 'mechanic' was just 'grandstanding' himself !!
Well it's back and running best it has since I've finished it. No timing chain rattle, no over heating, and nice and smooth. Seems it was the vacum advance that was at fault.
Also it had its WOF (MOT) while there - passed with no issues at all! My sister also took her modern today and it failed on the shockies
Yay! congratulations! Although I have to say, a vacuum unit failure causing those problems seems a bit unlikely......... some dizzys don't have them at all!
It would NOT be the vacuum advance unit !! Even if it was totally knackered, the pipe is too small to let any noticeable amount of air into the engine - and the fact it is not 'advancing' is an economy issue and has no effect on normal running. He's flanneling you ! But never mind - it's going and it's passed, so that's what matters !