Hi
It depends on which gasket you are talking about. Is it manifold to down pipe or manifold to head, and is it left side or right side.
Alan
Hi
its the manifold to head on the passenger side
Hi
Thought it might be, that is the most awkward one. Despite what Haynes says, it is apparently possible to change that gasket without removing the head from the engine or the engine from the car. Its done by lifting and tilting the engine to one side to give clearance. I wish I'd known that before I changed mine by removing the head. Cannot give guidance on cost except to repeat what someone else said earlier, wait till the overtime dries up and do it yourself, especially now that you know it can probably be done without removing head or engine. I say probably because I haven't done it that way myself.
I was prompted to do mine, and not wait, because I was worried about leaking exhaust gasses burning away the head. To my surprise there were not any marks on the head at all. Having said that, I do not know how bad your blow is.
Alan