After much reasearch, I bought a '98 outback 5 weeks ago. I drove it 1400 miles to Montana and back, where I discovered the guy I bought it from had filled it with some kind of stop-leak. That required a flush and new tstat 200 miles from home. The rest of the trip went well, and I love this car!
2K miles into it I find I need a new EJ25... mine has bad head gaskets, which led to bearing wear, blah, blah. OK, I'm reconciled to reality, but I need advice. Rebuilt or crate? I've heard lots of horror stories about the Japanese crate engines. Any help is appreciated.
Crates are available in the Seattle area for about $1200. Rebuilts top $2K. Add gasket kits, pumps and whatever, this thing is starting to top the $4K I paid for it. I know, I know.
Guidance, Please.:-\