Called the previous owner up and he is having a H2O pump sent to me at his expense from a vendor in Oregon.  
When the engine/radiator is cool, you could pull the radiator cap off, start the engine, and watch the water in the radiator. Once the coolant in the block reaches the temp rating of the thermostat, the thermostat should open and you should see water flowing through the radiator. If not, then that confirms the water pump (or a really bad clog somewhere) as the problem. If the water is flowing well enough to say the pump is good, then you may want to check the hoses when the system is at normal operating temp. Sometimes, hoses can collapse and stop flow. Finally (I've never seen this problem personally), but I've heard/read that there can be air in the system that interrupts flow and also allows the coolant to super heat (steam) in pockets somewhere in the block.
I have to second the very cool action of CZ in taking care of the problem after the sale
