Radiator is out, what can I do in the meantime?

Ok deep into it. Few observations and questions:

Good call on checking the water pump (see picture)

Also found out there was no thermostat installed? wow.

Inside the engine block, you can clearly see a thin small metal rod? I actually see 2 in there? What in the hell are those? They are loose. (see picture)

Lastly, need a little help , the 2 tubes that come off the engine, look like they are in very bad shape. Also I am not sure if that is something that can be replaced? It almost just looks like steel pipes from? One goes to the heater core, the other goes direct to water pump (very short rubber pipe). Should I attempt to remove these? I fear they might just break they are so corroded. I would probably be using vice grips or pipe wrench.. Either one will probably collapse the pipe? If I removed them is there a part that will replace? (see pics)