YEEEEHAAA! BURPING WORKS!
Thanks to all of you who helped with my the overheating problem! The OEM t'stat and BURPING did the trick.... I guess I'll be getting another 190,000 miles on this baby.
Amazing results. Have to admit..even though it's a simple solution after all's said and done, the head gasket issue was spookin' me. My neighbor has had her 98' subie in the shop for 2 weeks getting a new HG and other "Oh, looks like you need this too!" stuff. Thanks again for your experience and know-how!