$ damage, or $$$$$ damage?

[coreyfogel]

I had a collision causing lots of seemingly DIY body repairs. even the hood looks DIY

beneath the hood, the radiator was pushed back a bit, constricting the hose.

i drove the car a few days, but it got too hot. *didn't overheat.
called to have it towed and the guy chose to pull out the bar to release the hose, and jump it instead, which i knew all along could work. (why does it need a jump when radiator-related?)

just wondering what the risks are of blowing a head gasket if i proceed in slow test-drive mode, monitoring the temperature at all times, and how much a small (if any) radiator leak matters.

i'm ready to just buy a new crossbar from the junkyard, *maybe a new radiator, and maybe a new hood. but mostly i just want it to drive, which it does.

pix: http://picasaweb.google.com/coreyfogel/Car#

[quick69gto]

Try shortening each end of the hose.
Remove it and shorten (cut) each end a half inch at a time. Refit after each cut until it stops closing.
It looks like it might work but get a new hose just in case it doesn't.

Last resort would be to use a come along and a tree to pull the support forward an inch or two.

Good luck!