I have a 1990 and it was doing the same thing....I replaced the thermostat about $10, water pump about $30-$40 and it did fix the problem...also these cars run pretty hot as it is so running it without the fan on even with the radiator running will still allow it to over heat. After it overheating that many times id definately replace the thermostat and waterpump anyway....just my opinion though since i did this and now its running great

 

what i would do is bring it to a local tech school or vocational school the upperclassman work on the cars and it will only run you about 8-12$ an hour for labor this may seem like a whole lot to you but not when you compare it to 70-90 for any other local mechanic