Vintage Cars: Rad, pontiac laurentian, frost plug

Question
Hi Don!
Still working on my 64 pontiac laurentian 230 6.
Got a couple questions for ya!
1.The engine continues to overheat The frost plug is clean,and the waterpump appears OK.
I took the thermostat off which helped a lot,but still runs too hot.
Now I suspect its the rad so I just took it off.
Can I buy a cleaner to pour into it and leave it flat on the garage floor,or should I take it to a shop?
If they thought it needed to be re-cored how much would that cost?
Also,when I put it back on I am going to put a shroud on as well.
I took the fan off,but how do I get the fan base/hub off?
No bolt-does it pound off?
2.There is a slight leak from the oil pan.Is this simply a matter of draining the oil,buying a new gasket? Are these readily available?
3.It has the original radio but no antennae.How can I tell if the radio still works? If I took it out and took it to an electronics shop would they know?
Thanks a lot Don! Hope you are enjoying your summer!
P.S. I was really apprehensive about working on this vehicle(S) but its pretty basic.Now,instead of relying on my buddy or a garage, I am really getting into it!

Answer
I would leave the thermostat in, after making sure it was the right one, and that it works.  PRoblem with taking it out is that the water can flow so fast it doesn't have time to soak up the heat from the engine!  Sounds wrong, but it can happen.  Go with a bit colder thermostat than factory.

GEt the radiator professionally cleaned, this usually involves boiling it and soldering any leaks.  If it is bad enough, they might have to re-core it, but a good shop will test it first, unless it really looks bad.  Been a long time since I had a radiator done, I have no idea what it will cost.  Call 2 or 3 shops in your area and you should get an idea.

The water pump flange that the fan bolts to does not come off. The pump is a unit, and once you have the pump off the engine then you can take it apart from the back side and get all the parts out.  Easier though to just get a remanufactured pump.  These are not expensive, I would put a new one on.

2.  Oil pan gasket sets should be available, just take them the year and size of your engine.  Drain oil, remove pan (may need to drop some of the steering links).  clean the block and pan well of any gasket material and put the new gasket on with a thin coat of silicone sealer on both sides.  Don't overtighten.

3.  A radio shop should be able to tell.  You can stick a coat hanger in the opening for the antenna and probably do well, or a length of wire.  Really though buy a replacement antenna and plug it in, but be sure to ground it.  Old radio's seldom work right.  There are shops that will rebuild the radio into an AM-FM transistor unit that will sound great.  Cost is a few hundred, but looks factory.

Good for you getting into fixing up your old Pontiac.  When you get it on the road you will have a great feeling and enjoy the car that much more.

Don