head gaskets gone on my rb5. engine rebuild, or put another engine in.
do you think putting a different engine in is a bad move?

your thoughts appreciated, thanks

 

Yes...unless the block is destroyed on yours.

Problems:

1. If you buy a second hand, running engine, it could go again next week.
2. If you buy one and can't see it running, as above, or worse.
3. If you get one that's not exactly the same as yours, you can have problems of compatibility, wiring looms, etc etc.

Why not strip yours, inspect it, or have it inspected, then buy some forged pistons and rods and a set of ACL Race bearings and rebuild?
All new gaskets, belts, fluids etc, it's almost a new engine.

Then get it mapped.