Stagea Cracked Block? I'm New To This.

[SleepyTime]

I bought my 2000 Stagea about 6 weeks ago.

The hoses are swelling up pretty badly and all signs are pointing toward the head gasket to me.

When I called a certain mechanic who frequently works on these cars, he reckoned it was pretty common for the neo's to crack blocks.

Any help on this would help.

Anyone have a block for sale??? or know where one is???

Also it's auto. What would it cost (ballpark) for it to be converted to a manual??? I wanna leave it 4wd just convert it??

Any help to this greenhorn would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

Sammy