ldv engine etc advice please?

Hi,just removed 1.9 diesel pug motor from `98 pilot so I can get at the chassis to repair damage done by previous owner belting steering box out.Am fitting manual steering box and also older model rear axle.It`s an ex Royal Mail crew bus with 66,000 on clock,stood for 18months with low level/weak antifreeze mix drained out,so may have had a regular trickle when last used?Qs,please:-1)Don`t want to remove cyl head if I can get away with it.Has anyone ever used "SteelSeal"?Engine turns over fine so no evidence of blown head gasket.2)Been told it`s had a new cam belt but haven`t checked yet.Anyone know the oe fitment so I can see if it has replacement one?3)Noticed lots of those smaller hoses(why do they need so many hoses?!)have rubbing wear marks on them.Iwant to tape them up before they blow(too tight to replace them all!)and have noticed"QuickTape" says it`s good for 700psi/260degC!Has anyone used this?Sorry it`s long winded,hope someone`s got some ideas for me.Been out of the trade for 15 years.Have done Agricultural mechanics,Heavy plant,Cars,Motorcycles,MOTs,welding etc;so for eg ,if you`ve an old Bsa Bantam or Moto Guzzi v-twin etc in the shed you are struggling with,I may have some answers.Owned over 60 bikes up `til `94.