1100 for the work? not bad, I suppose, for paying a mechanic to do all the work.
ask him to break that down into parts and labor. and let's see if we can come up with some better options.

 

It's time for me to blow the dust off of my tools and jackstands and do this myself. There is a shop near me that will recon the head and I'll do the t-chain. I'll bring this truck back to life. I saw a '93 on Craigs list in my area asking $2600 so I guess it's worth the repair.

 

how much they want to do the head?
you may want to check here: http://www.engnbldr.com/toyota_heads.htm
new head, valves, etc. assembled for about 400.