Hi, Skip---Many owners overlook the importance of a good radiator cap,
when going after problems of overheating. Since your post stated that
this "solve the problem immediately," maybe something took place after
you changed the cap.
An easy check is to pull the bottom hose and pour water from a garden
hose into the rad neck. If it comes out in rapid fashion, the core is
probably not blocked enough to cause your current problem. If the flow
looks less (it should well handle the flow from a garden hose) the next
step would be to remove the radiator and do the same test from the
bottom up. This would also flush it somewhat, and if you can capture the
water pressure between the hose and the bottom "inlet," like with a
wrapped rag, this will help force out loose debris.
Lastly, run the engine long enough with the cap off, to burp out any air
pockets that accumulate in the system. (The engine must be hot enough to
open the thermostat) Use plain water until you're sure the system no
longer boils.* Then drain enough water to add 1/2 gallon of antifreeze.
Do the burp again.
*If it boils with plain water and the pressure cap back on, it will
take more than this back yard remedy to correct.
Dick
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