CB,
This may help...
......

 

No regular, old coolant hose leak ever made any of my engines run bad. Be thorough in your diagnosis. Even if you find a really obvious culprit such as a loose clamp, cracked radiator return pipe, etc go ahead and rent or buy a pressure test setup from a big-box auto parts retailer or harbor freight and see that you are holding pressure after any parts replacement. Rough running engine could be coolant in a cylinder, even a very miniscule amount as I have found, and won't be obvious like white smoke or odd-smelling exhaust.

 

I poured water into the reservoir to see where it would leak from when I started her up, git about 1/2 a litre in and it poured from the front lower part of the engine. I bought a water pump since it's probably seized which is causing the rough sounds. I think I'm going to do the hose to the water pump as well. Maybe I should also do a factory 180 tstat as well.

 

Another issue that is common but hard to diagnosis is the top of the engine cover where the inlet and outlet of the water pump it. It's a pia to replace but that could be a problem. Usually it's the top right side where the gasket of the engine cover connects to the block. If you do a pressure test, check around there real well.

 

If it's possible a coolant leak due to a head gasket, the biggest culprit is the rear of the engine by the firewall on the left side (passenger side). If it's a thermostat, you can take it off and boiler some water and put it in there and see if it opens and closes. But the easiest is a pressure test. You can rent them from most auto parts stores like chubbs said. That will for sure show you where it's at. Also if you replace one, might as well get the kit and replace them all. Lucky 8 has the kit for under $180 if I remember correctly. Quality parts and great service.