advice on finding parts to rebuild or replace engine

I would get a JDM engine from Tennessee JDM Motors in Memphis.

 

$1000 as is depending on the rest of the car. If you want to truly part it out and sell pieces on ebay you might do a little better but you may get a 1099 from them.

A $1200 JDM is much better than that north american used engine you were trying to find. The smart move is to pick it up so you can inspect it.



A "Hybridpit Rebuilds" Gold rebuilt shipped to you or a shop might be $5k installed depending on your shop's install pricing. There is more install work here as the intake, exhaust, etc etc have to be moved from your engine



The JDM comes factory assembled with everything that is on your engine when removed.

 

I feel your pain; my sister lives out in that direction and finding competent people out there seems to be a rarity. I've even helped her out with the local Subaru dealership. They tried to say her intermittent transmission slip was "normal". Handed the service writer all the links and NTSB recall notice. The service manager authorized a free NEW replacement transmission, even though she was approaching 135K miles. Told her to change the ATF every 50K miles, this time around. Another one of those lifetime ATF claims, like Toyota..... FWIW; Subaru manual states to change the ATF every 25K "under extreme conditions". I asked the service writer to define those conditions and he sheepishly stated, "leaving the pavement". Then I ask him how many customers have you asked that question - the answer was NONE....

In your shoes; I would probably just do the head gasket, electric water pump, and clean out the EGR - then call it a day and hope for the best. Install a P10 HUD to monitor engine temperatures. Other than the head gasket issue; these are pretty stout engines. Monitoring the ECT will give you an early warning that something is amiss; since your temp lamp doesn't turn-on until 248+F. Normal operations for that engine is below 200F.

Good Luck......