Overheating and fed up....

[willowbilly3]

Were you running without thermostats 2 years ago when it was cool? Just curious. I know some flatheads run best that way but over the years, on other engines, I have seen the water circulate too fast to cool without them. Just my opinion, but if everything is right, you shouldn't have to run without them. To me it's akin to putting cardboard in front for winter, a bandaid.
Anyway, you have a lot of good suggestions here. I'd check the timing and look for bubbles first, cause that's easy.