Getting the head off isnt hard. I agree with the valve seals unless you are lossing coolant. Then its the head gasket. Either way if i was ripping the head off I would do the mitsu 4 layer gasket and arp head studs. I ripped the head off a friends car today since he is on a trip and well his timing belt broke earlier this week. The valves were fucked but anyhow if your not lossing coolant its the valve seals!