Engine Overheat, question about bypassed heater core before jumping conclusions!

[rockypal]

Hi there. I have read many of the post related to overheating on this message board and would like to share something before I start blaming head gaskets, etc. I have a 94 Eldorado, 4.6. At the present time I am having the imfamous overheating when climbing uphill or sitting in traffic. At first, I suspected my fans, but no luck there. I replaced a lower radiator hose that had a rusted spring. The guy at autozone said the new hose didn't need a spring, is that correct? Anyways, the car is getting up to the lower 330's depending on the traffic, outside temperature. As long as i'm cruising at a decent speed it does alright. Something happened before this problem thought that i'm now suspicious of. A few weeks before all my overheating woes occured, my heater core busted. Drained all over the floorboard and filled the car with nice yummy steam. The next morning I bypassed the heater core. I bypassed it right where the heater core hoses go into the metal lines. However, the bypass is in the shape of a "U". It isn't kinked, but i'm wondering if i'm causing some sort of restriction by it bending. I mean it's going up from one metal line and straight down into the other. Is it possible for this to be my problem? I didn't notice the overheating till 2-3 weeks later, but it was in extreme heat and traffic. The problem wasn't noticable just driving around town. It's not leaking from anywheres, the radiator has been flushed, hoses are good. The belt for the water pump was changed a while back, but I do have 186,000. So.. could I have done myself in with the bypass? Thanks!