Nice work, I aint got the gonads for that job. My 87 22r Toyota long block was tough enough.
I might just have to suck it up and take the $3500. I could be missing out on $500-1000 by not doing the head gasket and a needed brake job (say $1500), and then selling it for $5500-6000, but I would be kicking myself if I had to go through with an entire replacement motor and possibly end up worse off. Plus Id have to go into CC debt to do the job, and thats a little sketchy. Still I've got a little nagging want to do the head job and see that the block is good. Ahhh, spending to much time on this decision!! Time to flick on channel 401 and watch some Aussie Rules and down a couple of coldies.
Thanks for all your comments folks, maybe I'll see you on a Yoda or Honda website one day.
One last thing, I was punching the gas pretty hard over a little hilly windy contry shortcut when it first blew. Pretending to be a rally champ and showing off to some mates in the car, silly bugger!