I'm with the other guys here...mechanics stuff is easy - I mean even mechanics can do it - it's that easy!

Seriously though I've found it ain't much fun withOUT some reasonable tools, these could cost some serious $$$.

If you know someone with a decent set of tools this would make your dream of fixing it up and lot more realistic.

Paying a mechanic $300ish to do the head gasket (and the other gaskets like manifold, rocket, thermostat, etc...) at the same time might be a possibility - or spend the same $$$ on some tools, then another $100 on gaskets and learn something yourself - and have the satisfaction that the guy who did the job (you) did so with a much higher care factor than any mechanic could muster.

Overall though I'd say much more fun to learn then pay someone who could care less to do it.