Well I'm a bit averse to loads of work....
A) loads of work tends to mount up and be ultimately expensive.
B) loads of work can lead to a advertising an "unfinished project"
Now if you don't mind loads of work and have deep pockets, then consider perahaps starting. Bear in mind though of the cash that will be swallowed up and never recoverable. Cash that could be better wasted on the gee-gees or down the dogs.
RHD factory diesels are as rare as rocking hosre poo.
Although like a petrol Renault-engine Volvo in drivetrain and nearest to the B172 engined cars in bits, it still has a number of differences.
1) a 360 shell with the spare wheel in the boot.
2) thick underbonnet, bulkhead, floorpan and roof soundproofing.
3) fuel cap
4) glow plug warning lamp on the dash replacing the choke light.
5) remote mounted vacuum pump for brake servo (FWD Renaults drive this off the cam, but in the Volvo that space is gobbled up by the bulkhead)
6) slow as f&*k (The D16 engine is essentially a 1595cc Renault F8M engine)
7) plastic saddle tank
The last time I saw one attempted from a fairly sound B14 Vario, it became a "B" above. Don't let me put you off. It's just I'd rather start with a diesel where the factory has done all the hard work.