Conveniently I just ran into one of my customers who has a labor guide he can access with his phone. Labor time for the complete job which includes replacing all gaskets and valve seals, checking/decking the heads, flushing and filling the oil and coolant and other minor things is 13 hours. He mentioned that if you're anywhere remotely close to timing belt service this would be the time. It shouldn't add anything to labor since it has to come off and go back on anyway. Also if you haven't done a tune up recently it's much easier to change the plugs while the intake is off.
Timing belt/tensioner/water pump all done last year. I did change the plugs and wires except #6 in the fall. So @ $100 +/-/hr. it's looking like $1300 according to the guide. Now if I could get a copy of that to have in hand when I speak to a stealership, that would be great.
Can get a entire used JDM engine with 50,000 miles on it right now on ebay for $1200 shipped. With no worries of did I do it right.
The problem with replacing the engine is that too takes time plus I'd have to do it in my driveway needing additional tools (engine hoist, etc.) or pay the labor to remove the old and install the new doubling the labor.
At this point the best cost efficient solution would be to spend the $200 on the 4 gaskets, and do the job myself.
Second would be to get the guide quote data in hand and speak to a shop I've spoken to before about doing some work.
Last would be the used engine.
It's all about time, money and patience.
