Overheat Issue?

[tempest411]

Just an update in case anyone happens to encounter this issue in the future. I haven't solved the problem yet, but thought I'd share what's happened so far. I installed a new auxiliary water pump and hoses and am able to observe what happens when you purge the system according to the factory procedure. I don't know why, but there is in fact a lot of air trapped that was pushed out by the little pump. You can observe a steady stream at the expansion tank with the cap removed. Because the only bleeder screw is at the expansion tank it suggests (to me) that it's the only high point in the system. I actually always wondered why the bleeder screw was there at all because you could always break the cap loose. Normally on cars with multiple volumes that trap air they provide multiple bleed points, or plumb small hoses as steam vents where applicable. Anyhow, I didn't get too far after refilling it and installing the fan clutch as I discovered a leak. One of the hoses I replaced, pt# 11537505949, the one that goes from the auxiliary water pump to the back of the engine, has a manufacturing defect. The ribbed piece that's brazed on to the metal section that in turn has a hose permanently banded to it leaks. I took the hose apart to figure this out. I've had this hose kicking around my garage since 2019, so I couldn't return it even if I remembered who I got it from. I would even scavenge the metal section from my old hose assembly except it was in the trash when it was picked up yesterday. Maybe I could silver solder it? I put in an order for a new one. Delivery time was important, so I placed the order with Pelican even though they were the most expensive at $166.00. Lastly, I did run the engine for a brief time today, and suspect bleeding it out more thoroughly, the new (Behr) fan clutch, and a new factory sending unit has not left it running any cooler. the temperature surged to 235F, with a 190F (Bremmen) thermostat after operating for maybe ten minutes. At this point I suspect the thermostat is defective. I really have egg on my face at this point considering I started out with a vehicle that ran fine. My goal was to renew the radiator, some hoses, and install a cooler thermostat. Since then nothing seems to be going right. I've never touched a vehicle that was so much trouble!