Wasn't getting heat from the vents and during my investigation I took the radiator cap off and found the coolant had rust all in it. I took it to Roppels a local auto heating/cooling specialty place to get it flushed. They found a leak and said if they flushed it it would make it worse. They looked it all over and quoted me a price to replace the thermostat, radiator and flush the system. The replacement radiator is a Radpro for $177. Don't know whether it has plastic or metal end caps or any other specs but has anyone used a radpro and are they any good?

I have not heard of that brand, which does not mean a thing.. I know radiatorbarn.com has a two row for around 170 all metal. so the price is in line, if infact they are offering a all metal 2 row...

I haven't heard of RadPro either but if the shop says they're good, I'd go for it. Rust inside the cooling system means the owner didn't properly maintain it. Coolant goes bad and a big part of its job is to prevent corrosion/rust as well as to lubricate the water pump... in addition to preventing the coolant from freezing. When it goes bad from not being changed, the cooling system can rust out as yours did.

After the new radiator is installed, make sure to change the coolant on a regular basis and ONLY use distilled water to mix with the coolant. Tap water will eventually clog up a radiator with hard water deposits. Distilled water is available for something like fifty cents a gallon in any grocery store.

Thanks Jerry! Good info