Thanks guys,

I have to say, when I am not fixated on the prospect of major engine
work, I actually am enjoying the trbl shooting aspect of all this (:

So after dbl checking all connections, cleaning the coolant deposits at
the sensor and pulling and checking the plugs I did the following:

Ran the engine at idle and 2000 rpms till it warmed up.
pulled the radiator bleeder
watched the temp needle

Initially there was little to no pressure at the radiator
when the engine warmed up it had a bit more pressure but not much, and
coolant was never even warm up front.
the fan never came on, this is odd to me as it always did

Eventually the temp gauge went to the top and finally the lite began to
blink
the reservoir did begin to pressurize and the gurgling and bubbling
sound began (obvious bubbles where the large hose comes into the top of
the tank)
never did the coolant at the radiator get warm nor the fan come on.

The plugs on the rh side did have a suspiciously cleaner look, though
they are pretty new so ?

I wonder if it is a leaky head gasket if the pressure build up could
inhibit the thermostat from opening ?
meaning i might have two problems, one minor and the other well, more
involved ?

So I guess I should replace the thermostat ( any easy item to deal with)
and see if this changes things?

-john

Miguel Pacheco wrote:
> John, you don't mention if the radiator cooling fan is coming on. If
> things are getting that hot, you should hear the fan come on low
> speed,then high. If you pull the radiator bleeder like Benny suggested
> (simple things first like David Vickery suggested,) I bet you will not get
> hot coolant. So, from how I read things here, unless your rad fan is out,
> your thermostat is stuck closed. You can just go in and pull it out,
> without putting another one in there, for the sake of troubleshooting,
> replace the thermostat housing cap and do another test run. If the fans
> come on and you are getting hot liquid to the rad, then presto! Damn, I
> hope for your sake that this is it. Good luck. Miguel
>