8 to 10 hrs labor to change '225' head gasket ?????

As said, you either pay to have the work done or learn to do it yourself. This is one of the reasons I've learned to do most of my own work. A head gasket isn't a big thing if you can follow instructions and it gives you the opportunity to take a look at the combustion chamber conditions, and clean them yourself. Just be happy that it isn't a v6/8 since you'd have to pay for both.