[davew833]

Like kuoh said, I was looking for a "a viable option for the home mechanic on a budget". The shops I talked to about doing it quoted me $1400- $2000 labor ALONE to do the job. I believe an ambitious person could do the whole job over a weekend- minus the machine work, of course. I've pulled engines before, but last time I rented an engine hoist it was $30 a day and that was 5 years ago. I didn't want to spend the money this time if I didn't have to. I also couldn't believe what's been stated here periodically and at some repair shops I've talked to- that Subaru would build an engine that you couldn't remove the heads from without pulling the engine.

The disturbing thing about it all is that a quick inspection of the head gaskets didn't reveal any obvious failure points. Still, the car overheats, I've got oil in my coolant, and the coolant is disappearing (out the exhaust). What else could it be? A cracked block? In that case I'll be removing the rest of the engine anyway-

Just call me Don Quixote!

PS: My mother is typing this for me because of my bloody knuckles.