The early headgaskets went at no.1 cylinder, the same has happened to mine. Only the geezer that repaired it did a sh!t job, luckily i caught it in time, and with several months gone no problems. Watch out for pressurised coolant ie. hard hoses and leaking expansion tank vent.
The Vr engines do not have a cambelt, they are chain driven at the gearbox end. 1 chain between crank and intermediate shafts, and 2 chains between the intermediate and cam shafts.
The chains should pretty much last for ever providing the oil has been changed regularly , so the chain is kept well lubed.
I wouldn't worry too much about the headgasket really, its probably not more likely to go than any other golf.
The 2.9 engine is exactly the same as the 2.8 but it is bored by 1mm.
Check my gallery for a few pics of when i did my headgasket. That narrow angle 6 is just sexy!
