Couple of things:

1) Adjust the valves, test the glow plugs, take a compression test.

2) Don't be afraid of the head gasket. I pulled an engine this summer after having done nothing greater than change transmission fluid in the Corolla the year before. Most of the work is just "intelligent grunt work" -- follow directions, get the right tools, and you will be fine. You can do it.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."