ok so im thinking of driving down to brissy again but would like to try fix her up before i go long haul trecking again, shes seaping oil in a few places, (slowley, nothing hits the floor) and has rough idle due to oil getting on the spark plug/s. i need new o-rings and gasket and a few other sealants.

Im thinking of taking the whole engine out using a crane and your general tools. am i WAY out of my league? if im good to go how hard is it? so far i havent got any real reason not to go near it, i cant **** anything up can i?

meant to mention i got a 3.5 TL 2002 wagon automatic.

You're going to take the engine out to do gaskets which are situated at the top of the engine?
Why would you go into all that effort?
Only the rear one is somewhat harder to do as it's more of an awkward position but it is not enough to warrant taking the motor out.
If anything just take the hood off the car

sorry i should have mentioned i need to replace the piston rings too and a few other things, which would need a serious fix up right?

why would you need to do the rings? how many kays on it? ive had magna engines up 350,000klms and not replaced rings.

IF you really need to do rings, and I would love to know on what basis you have been given this idea, then you are best to get a new motor from a wreck and pop that in as it is not just a matter of "slapping a set of rings" into motors, these are not 202 holdens.

If just rocker cover gaskets, clean breathers (rocker cover gaskets come with plug tube seals) then not the same issue at all

The rough idle is most likely nothing to do with the oil on the plug leads either, although not ideal to have oil on the leads at the same time will not generally change how the motor runs unless the plug leads are popping out of the holes

Like the rest said, before going out and spending money on rebuilding the engine, I would first look at things like cleaning the throttle body, changing plugs, leads, dizzy cap and rotor button to try and fix your rough idle. only other thing I can think of without hearing the car for your rough idle could be a burnt/bent valve. but that's extreme stuff there.

Thanks for your replies folks

when i got the pickerings list back after a service they wouldnt replace the spark leads or plugs as they would get contaminated with oil states the conclusion sheet.

They recommend:
Tappet cover gaskets, Spark Plug Orings and seals, Timing Cover seal kit inc water pump & crank seals. Distributor Seal/ Oring

So i thought the slow seaping oil would have an effect on the sparks improper ignition, causing rough idle.