It is more likely to leave you beside the hiway somewhere at 3:00 in the morning! Of all the parts that should be replaced immediatly, you have stumbled on the easiest and most necessary of them all.
It is 20 minute job under your tree! DO IT NOW! You just might be frying your head gasket and valves every minute!
You got bout $2.000. for a new engine? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Ps It sounds like you did not get it FULL of coolant, and have some air in the top of the radiator. Have you took the cap off and LOOKED?