cost of coming down here and conversion would be more than some shade tree guy up there would charge. Is there a dirt race track anywhere close by? That is where you would find a cheap drop n go. Check junk yards, they often know someone who can do it on the cheap. My buddy in oregon hangs around the local junk yards looking for people who need stuff like that done. I could do the work but am considerably slower than someone who does it all the time. Might be all you need is a fresh head gasket and a $6.00 tube of glerk will cure the freeze pug problem
http://www.asealepox.../5MinuteEpoxy.htm something like that hotter plugs in cyl 8 could also help