I can do max 4.2 as well - can you export to a format that old? Modelling isn;'t high enough on my list to upgrade. I normally work with mod, shp (Starlancer), pof (freespace 2), or 3ds formats. I've never worked with obj but I could try that as well, especially if it preserves HP/DP. I didn't know 3ds lost them.
I also know how to use the SFC3 HP/DP utility to modify HP/DP. So if worse comes to worse MarkyD, you can send me a top jpg view of where you want HPs and DPS and I could replace any that were lost in the conversion.