in need of radiator repair advice

Hi...New kid on the block here. Thankfully I finally found this site. It sounds like everybody here is helpful just because they want to be helpful! That's refreshing.
I've got a 97 tacoma,3.4 engine,automatic transmission,2 wd
It's got some issues. I'm stuck ...I've got to do the work on it myself or not drive anymore. I'm opting for "working on it myself".
Immediate need is flushing cooling system and installing new radiator, along with thermostat&gasket, cap, hoses,
Old radiator is full of rust ,thermostat is rusted close.....The old radiator is out along with thermostat and coolant. I want to flush it before installing new radiator. But I don't know how I should do it. Reinstall old radiator and flush? Can it be,flushed without a radiator? The fludh im using is industrial strength and conditioner has to go through system fairly soon after flushing system. Othereise seals could fail.Can anybody Please give me step by step instructions on how to do this?
Thank you in advance, ~¿~ daregirl2

 

I don't have step by step instructions but I suggest flushing out the engine by putting the hose in the themostat housing with the thermo. removed and remove the block drains. I think there are 1/4" pipe thread (yes even on Japenese Metric engines) block trains in all engines but not sure, you will have to get under the vehicle and look. also turn the heater on and hopefully it will flush out the heater core also. If you can remove the block drains and flush till clear water runs out every where and if the water pump is ok (can only check by seeing if : water runs out the weep hole or it won't turn. ) You should be able to put the new radiator and new thermostat (it goes in a certain way with the bypass hole facing a certain way Others on this fourm know this info well.) in, fill it with coolanant it be ok.

 

Thank you for your advice back in April this year. I did all that and more. Flushing engine, replaced radiator,thermostat,water pump,timing chain, plugs,coils,wires, added pink Toyota. Coolant, fuel filter, fuel pump, new starter relay, new vacuum hoses, I think that’s all.
But it won’t start! That’s the reason for all the plugs,coils,etc. it’s been broken down since may. Any ideas to what could be wrong? I was thinking sensors. But I dunno. Any good advice would be appreciated totally. I’ve had “help” from way to many guys that say they know what their doing but the just don’t. Don’t know why some guys do that kinda thing. But it sure make them look smart right?! Anyway you know what your talking about so your advice is take, if you’d be so kind as to give it.

 

I would flush it with a hose, then fill with straight distilled water. Run until stat opens, let it run another minute or so(with heater on enfire time), then drain from radiator. Repeat adding nothing but distilled water and keep repeating that process until clear water is draining. On the last drain from radiator, fill with pure antifreeze, not mixed, until you have the proper amount, but only putting in enough to make the total capacity 50/50 once it's full. Then finish by adding the rest in distilled water.

That is of course after figuring out the capacity of total fluid, and making sure the proper amount of pure antifreeze is going going in. That way it comes out 50/50 total. Just remember to let it cool down a little before filling between each run cycle. Takes forever but it works and makes sure your entire system is flushed.

 

She did all that back in April.

Did it run before you did all that?

 

Ha my bad. Guess I missed that.