If i were you this is what i would do. I would pull the head off the car myself and take it into a machine shop directly. I had to install 6 new valves after a timing chain accident (we won't talk about that). The valves were around $30 a peice (don't quote me there) and the work to replace them was very reasonable. When you pull valves out apprently its a good idea to replace the seals to, so all together i think it was $250 for the machine shop to do the work. With the valves bent on my car it just plain wouldn't start either. And really when you think about it, that is what really should be the problem. Bent valves.
In my case the valves were just bent and didn't do much damage to the actual head or pistons. Hopefully this is the case for you. I couldn't see how they can do all that much damage but you won't know untill you check. And hell yes you can do it yourself. If you can read instructions and have some pretty basic tools i think its worth it to give it a shot. Whats the worst your going to do,assuming your capable of being patient and not breaking anything? Its already not running and the alternative is to pay somebody to take it apart anyways. I would just find a mechanic that wouldn't' mind putting it back together for you if you didn't feel comfortable with it.
Like i said "if i were you" its your call man. Feel free to PM with any questions or help.
98.5 Black contour // A.K.A. Frankenstein
3L Oval port swap W P&P // SVT UIM, LIM, & Cams
Torsen LSD // Dual Friction // KKM // Poly Mounts // ?Mystery Mod? // Actually Running!
205 hp @ 6500RPM 180 tq @ 4250RPM
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