sorry forgot to mention that he said he would pull the motor to do the rear main seal. I believe all mechaics try to generate some type of extra work for themselves, however i hope he doesnt charge me too much extra to pull the motor out and fix those other areas.

Pulling the motor out to do a rear main is definately overkill. Most shops remove the trans. Tell him to forget it and just do the head. Then you can get the rear main done later for half the cost.

i always say if you have to pull out the motor ''rebuild it so it doesnt have to come out again then it will larst you for years to come