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If you take it to a shop, they will do the absolute minimum disassembly necessary to replace the head gasket. Because they don't want a bring back, they will ensure the head is reusable, or call you to get permission to send it the machine shop with the understanding that it will add to the final cost. They won't address the general maintenance items that are so much easier to do while the engine is undressed. They won't address the water pump unless you specifically asked them to do so.
Wow, I don't know what kind of shop you are use to frequenting but an automotive repair shop keeps the doors open by doing repairs and providing people with good service at a fair price that keeps them coming back, not by turning a blind eye. First things first, you cannot even give someone a comprehensive estimate on their head gasket repair until you take the head off of the car and evaluate just exactly what needs to be repaired, like heater hoses, water pumps, breather boxes, necessary machine work, etc.
Problem with it is that you easily run up a $1500.00-$2000.00 bill and you have to draw a line somewhere.
Bare minimum that I would do on a red engine head gasket with 150K+ on it:
Valve job
Machine the head if necc.
Weld up any electrolysis pits in the head
Heater hoses
Breather box, if original
Water pump if edgy at all
Drive belts
Timing belt
Timing belt tensioner if original
All the front engine seals and use only factory Volvo seals
Throttle valve service
Flame trap service
Decarb the piston faces
Inspect and replace accesory mount bushings as neccesary
Spark plugs, factory Volvo
Cap, rotor, and wires if neccesary
Timing belt covers and backing plate if neccesary
I would get the Elring top end set and throw the cam seal that comes with it in the trash and get a complete set of factory Volvo front engine seals. If you do have the head gone through make good and sure that the shop you are dealing with knows how to work on red engine cylinder heads. If they do not or you suspect that they do not then do not try to educate them, just keep walking.
On your parts I would use as much factory Volvo and/or Bosch as you can. McKay makes good quality hoses, use a Wahler thermostat, all of the gaskets in the Elring top end kit with the exception of the cam seals will serve you well, use an INA or SKF tensioner, Continental (CRP) belts, if you don't run a factory water pump use a Hepu, Bosch ignition cap and rotor, Bougicord wires, and lastly change the oil and filter after 500 miles or so just to get all of the crap and assembly lubes out of it.
Mark
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