The thing would be to do some tests to find out where the blow by is coming from (rings, or valve guides, or...) and determine where and how much work is needed.
Re-freshing a head is generally in the $2-300 range to clean, flatten and replace some valve guides. If you need a valve grind, that's probably another $100-150, off the top of my head. I had a head fully rebuilt, with new valves, about 8 years ago, and it was almost $500, but I'm not sure what it would cost now. I know Craig has a good relationship with a shop in Lethbridge that would be cheaper than Calgary shops.
As for bottom end, if you're doing the work yourself, you're still looking at several hundred dollars in gaskets, bearings and rings (and oil, coolant, new belts, etc etc it all adds up), plus either borrowing a basic honing tool or paying someone to do that. And that's if all you need is a re-ring.
Spending $300 (or whatever it costs for a long block at PYP these days) on a decent used engine is the most cost effective way to go, for sure. Guess you just have to be prepared to return it if it turns out to be alot more worn once you get it home and "bench" test it.
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