That would seem to be the opinion of most. Some say, swap out the engine. Others say just replace the gasket without all that pricey machine shop, still more say have the head reconditioned. I`m waiting for a member who is local to get back to me as to weather or not he will take the job to just do the gasket. In retrospect, I wish I had gotten a good W123 Diesel that I would be able to service my
self.