[robdelorenzo]

Someone on Rennlist suggested that I check the coolant hoses that flow both in and out of the radiators to see if the water pump/thermostat are working.
This makes sense to me and not something I had considered.
He suggested that it be done on a lift, though.
Can I get the front end up high enough to get under it and run it until it's hot enough to get under it and squeeze the hoses that go in and out of the radiators to check them?

This is a good proactive action that I think I want to try.
I still have 2 more days of a long weekend with a car that's really only useful to take to the grocery store at the moment.

Any other tests, ideas, or things that I can check in the next few days would be greatly appreciated. I'm tempted to try and take out the thermostat and even the water pump to see what's going on.

This car is my daily driver and I'm willing to try as much as I can first before going back to the mechanic on Tuesday. Not out of shame or ego, but I'm running out of $ to throw at the problem. There's enough left for one last repair at the moment.
If we can get this leaking problem licked, I am able to keep earning in the mean time to make my next move.

The other issue is that if it is the water pump and missing impeller blades are clogging water channels somewhere in the engine, am I correct in my thinking that it's really then just a matter of time until the thing grenades on me? If so, then I cannot sink much more $$ into the car.

Agonizing to say the least.

I'm not spilling my guts here for :ah:

I'm just being as honest as I can possible be so I can formulate a plan working with what I have for the best possible outcome.

There are people here with decades of accumulated knowledge about these cars that are willing to share it freely and I'm grateful for their help.