I hope the shop did... Ive never taken my cars to a mechanic and have always repaired or rebuilt my own equipment. I bought the leggy already rebuilt by a shop in Portland somewhere a little over a year ago before I bought the car. :x I did get receipes for new oem parts like pistons, oil pump, plugs, gaskets, etc.. No oil or coolant mixing anywhere that I can tell, and the bottom of the engine is clean, so that rules out seepage in my mind. Externally anyways.
Yes heater high and at 85
No temp fluxuations so far but, still getting the gurgle. I believe I heard the heater door the other day and it did sound different.
I dont mean to sound doom and gloom so soon, but I have been eye balling prices on EJ20x engines. Im not sure if I should go that route or just buy a forged and assembled ej255/7 and find some heads to bolt on. I am not looking for max power by any means as the leg is my DD/dad wagon, but a man needs passing power!
Im taking the hose to the heater core tonight as JmP outlined