A little help diagnosing my cooling problem?

[Gellpak]

I've pretty much settled on the decision that it's the radiator but I have an open forum here full of more knowledgeable people so I might as well make use of the resource...

The car overheats, big time... here are my observations:

-A leak at the thermostat, but the system maintains pressure (not much of a leak).
-Top hose hot
-Upper 1/3rd of radiator hot, the rest remains cool
-Lower hose cool

...which says to me that the coolant isn't getting through the radiator to cycle through the engine. Does this sound right? And if so, am I out a radiator or can I clear it somehow?

 

[jadesville]

Your radiator is clogged, you can try to flush it, but most likely you'll have to replace it.

And your leak..are you using the gasket or o-ringed thermostat housing?

 

[mustangdave]

Take it to a radiator repair shop. They have some process called rotting(sp?) to clear out radiators and they can pressure test it too.

 

[D.Hearne]

Take it to a radiator repair shop. They have some process called rotting(sp?) to clear out radiators and they can pressure test it too.

Rodding They run a thin rod thru the core tubes. Or use acid to clear them.

 

[rbohm]

you can have the rad rodded out for a small amount of money, but if you have any mods to the engine, i recomend that you get a new 3 core rad. you can get new V8 3 core rads for under $200 new. you can also have your current rad recored toa three core for about the same money

 

[grego37]

ditto on the radiator cleaning or replacement.
remember, a cooling system wont work properly if it cant build pressure.
do whatever you have to do to fix the leak.Also replace the rad cap if you have any doubts about it.

 

[Gellpak]

Is 3 row the same as 3 core? i.e. http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=GNO&mfrpartnumber=433259&parttype=31&ptset=A

 

[Platonic Solid]

Is 3 row the same as 3 core?

Yes (link doesn't work)