Ok for those still interested, I installed the new tstat and gasket, and rad. cap. It's not overheating anymore and all is well. I know the hole drilled into the new tstat worked cause the old one had no hole and when I pulled it off the engine it was stuck to the hose outlet side and when I actually removed the tstat completely water rushed from the engine side and went everywhere. I think it was air locked. I used the big funnel method and it never blew out like before. I drove it probably 15 miles and it never got hot. The old gauge is terrible though and bounces back and forth but at a dead stop it reads halfway. I felt the hoses and they feel like the same temp. I think it's fixed. I had no idea that these things had such a air pocket problem. Anyways, thanks for the info and help to everyone, great forum!
