I removed the radiator and shroud as part of the procedure to replace the timing belt tensioner in my daughter's '83 (149k mi). This just takes a few minutes and makes timing belt/water pump etc. work a lot easier. I used a flashlight to peer into the upper and lower hose spigots and see a few of the tubes...they looked pretty well scaled up with those whitish powdery deposits. Took it to a rad shop for a boil-out, but first they did a flow test. This consisted of standing the rad upright in its normal position and filling with a high-flow hose through its bottom spigot until it comes out the top. Then pull the hose away and see how fast it empties. Looked pretty good to me but the rad-man said it was at least 50% plugged...the stream should spurt initially about 2ft horizontally and run out quickly, not slowly come to a trickle like mine.

I was a little disappointed, as I've had this car since new, and always flushed and renewed the coolant (50/50) every two yrs. But the guy said that's why it was still in reasonable shape after 20 yrs, he doesn't often see them this old in decent shape. They removed one tank, rodded out the tubes and boiled it, then reassembled and repainted for $85. They also repaired two pinhole leaks. I hadn't seen any signs of overheating, but the guy said it was a rather big rad for a 2.3liter engine, and could probably function OK even at half-capacity, as long as outside air wasn't too hot.

I'm looking at the experience as preventive maintenance, and a saving of $100 or so over a replacement. So I'll throw out the suggestion that you look in their when you have the chance and see if yours needs similar work. Summer's coming.
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Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-940Sedan B230F)