Just took a look and the current rad is a Behr K5 and seems to have the aforementioned metal bit where the upper hose connects. Was it an old rad, or overtightened hose clamp. Hmmmm.
I see that I have an aluminum thermostat housing. I see the bleed screw right in the center. Very handy.
Glanced under the car and I do appear to have a cat... or at least a heat shield roughly mid-pipe where a cat might be. hehehe
How do all of those clips holding the rad in place work, anyway? I haven't begun to fiddle with them much thus far, just wondering if they simply slide upwards or if they lock in place somehow. Any trick to removing them? Just want to mitigate any potential first timer damage. lol
No mayo under the oil cap... just normal looking oil.
...Oh, about that oil...