My 66 Sprite has an issue with getting warm. I won't say it's over heating, since it never has boiled over. However, on summer days, it surpasses the 190f (thermostat temperature) it does in the autumn or at night time.

It'll approach 212. At least according to the temp gauge.. I'd love to measure block temp with an infrared thermometer, but I don't have one.

However, due to the fact that the car is able to get hotter than thermostat opening temperature, to me that signifies my radiator is partially plugged up.

Are there any good ways to try and clean it out verus take it to a radiator shop for a complete rodding or rebuild job?

Also, what's a reasonable price to shop for when getting it serviced at a shop?

I've seen all these radiator cleaning chemicals at the car parts store, but I don't want to be feeding snake oil through the cooling system. Do any of you have success stories with this sort of issue?

My other Sprite never got hot, and by all means, it was in 'worse condition.' In other vehicles I've owned, when this problem happened, it was simply time to buy a new radiator since they had aluminum ones with plastic endcaps.

Try the chemicals to back flush.