Ok, so I bought my first Subie in January. '99 Legacy Outback with 201k on it, but all the receipts in the glovebox showing everything had been gone through in the last 50k miles. I've heard of the tendency for blowing head gaskets, and therefore have always paid close attention to how she is running, where the temp gauge is, what the oil looks like, etc... I don't beat on this car; she is driven back and forth to school and work (approx. 80 miles freeway everyday). I wasn't too surprised last Saturday when a head gasket blew. Wasn't pleased, either, but such is life, right? Ganked the motor out, got the new gaskets in tonight, motor back in the car. I topped off the oil, filled the radiator, checked everything again for leaks, fluid levels, and all that, then fired it up. She sat and ran fine for about 15 minutes as I slowly burped the coolant system. The heat came up about halfway or slightly under half. Then the rod started knocking. At least, that's what it sounds like to me. All I know for sure is something is definitely not right with the engine, and having heard Subie rod knock before, I'm fairly certain that's what I'm hearing. All of this brings me to my point: I need help. I'm a full-time college student / part-time guitar instructor / auto body repairman. Final projects are all coming due starting next week, and finals begin two weeks from now. I also have tuition payments I'll need to make in a bit over a month, and I'm getting married in July. I have little time to spare to repair my rig, but really need a working car. I have a loaner for now, but I'm hoping someone out there has a spare 2.5 engine laying around that isn't blown I could pick up for cheap, or know of how I can repair mine quickly? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!
