Hi Ian,
The Rev counter just started working again, one day it wasn't, the next it was.
I agree totally that something that was touched while doing the cambelt etc. and has caused the issue, although it could be coincidence, it seems that everything must be related somehow.
The problem I have now is that I took the car to the mechanic because I decided not to risk doing it ourselves, and this is the first time in years that I have done so with a car of mine (although I do always take the wifes car to a mechanic). This mechanic I have known for years, he is about my age, has worked for Ford amongst others, and has done infinite training courses and has lots of diagnostic equipment. He works on rally cars for a couple of local teams, and is highly recommended. I also know that he has done at least a few pumas and various VCT engines. I have taken him all the comments, sugestions and info that I have found here and around the web, and he has read and studied each and every one of them and explained the steps he has taken. So I do trust him, but I am finding that he is not getting anywhere with the car (he has had it now for 3 weeks). If we had tried to do this ourselves, we would probably have spent just as much time, but I would be 100% certain that I have followed all the steps you guys have suggested, now I just have to take his word for it.
I am seriously contemplating giving up on the Puma for now and buying another car. Originally the Puma was going to be a third car, just as a project, but as I liked it so much in the first (and only) week I had it, I decided to keep it as my daily car and look for another project.
Add all this to the fact that my other half thinks that any car over 6 years old is not worth looking at, it is becoming quite stressful
I keep getting the "I told you to buy a new car"
Anyway, enough complaining! Thank you all again for your constant input, it is much appreciated, and I will try and stay positive, but it is damn cold on a motorbike in December :-D