Overheating - 1980 Silver Shadow 2

[fatbutt]

My shadow is overheating badly! The first look-at found the thermostat not openning fully so I took it out (I'm in Houston so cold starting isn't a problem as its inherantly warm). Next day she overheated again after sitting in traffic. Then again after cooling and refilling. The radiator has now sprung an almighty leak.

So, any ideas? I'm assuming its the radiator and its terminal. How difficult is it to change the radiator as I've just spent $3000 getting one of the exhaust manifolds replaced, the majority of the cost being the labour!!!

[AndrewW-G]

As well as having the radiator re-cored (or replaced) you may want to check for any hydrocarbons in the coolant (you can buy testing kits in the UK called sniffers) as well as checking that the water pump is OK

[fatbutt]

Thanks for that. If there are indeed hydrocarbons in there does that mean their is a more serious issue in the inner workings of the engine?

[AndrewW-G]

It would indicate something along the lines of a possible head gasket failure, hopefully it's just leaky radiator, but you may as well check it all out whilst it's in bits