WATERPUMP WENT OUT,CHANGED PUMP AND WAS STILL RUNNING ABOUT 20 TO 25 DEGREES TOO HOT, SO CHANGED T-STAT, CAR STILL RUNNING 20 TO 25 DEGREES TOO HOT

High high does the gauge go up? mid way, 3/4 way? That would be normal. The thermostat opening temperature is about 195-205 degrees. If you are not getting heat from the heater then you may have a plugged heater hose or a plugged heater core. To check the heater system, while the engine is running and warmed up, touch the heater hoses to see if they get hot. If they are hot to the touch then water is flowing through the heater. Also make sure that you bleed the cooling system correctly . There should be 2 air bleed ports in the cooling system. One by the t-stat housing and the other above the water pump area.

You need to get it full of coolant.

CHECK COOLANT LEVEL SOUND LIKE COOLANT LEVEL GOT TOO LOW IN WHICH ENGINE WILL MAKE A TAPPING NOISE ENGINE GET TO HOT IT WILL STALL OUT.

I do not see a good connection between the serpentine belt and the engine overheating suddenly.

Perhaps you have a lot of burnt belt rubber on the water pump pulley?

Is the upper radiator hose hot? If so the stat is opening. If you start the car cold with the radiator cap off you can watch for coolant starting to flow and make sure the stat works...if the flow is low you have either a blocked stat or poor belt grip at the waterpump. Have you flushed the radiator recently? After 15+ years your car could be ready for a cleaning.

sounds like the air in the cooling system was not all bled out , it should correct itself after a few drive cycles, if not then there is more than likely a problem with the thermostat sticking in the closed position.if there is not sufficient coolant inside the cylinder head then the tempature at the thermostat will not be enough to open it therefore the cycle of the coolant will cease causing an overheat and possible engine damage.

Have you tested the thermostat yet? Are you "sure" it's working? That engine is NOT known for having water pump impellers going bad at all. I would believe a bad t-stat before a bad water pump. In my enperience if it's now flowing water, start there. If you can, take the t-stat out and put it in a pot of boiling water on the stove. Use a meat thermoneter, or even a cany thermometer and check the water temp. the T-stat should open up on it's own, even without water flow between 195 and 210 degrees. If it isn't, there's your problem. Start there, ESPECIALY if you "just put in a new T-stat." I've had FOUR bad t-stats brand new out of the box from 3 different suppliers in 15 days at my shop. I'm testing them before installing them now. the Stick

Was it running hot before new water pump & stat? If not go back & revisit the repair

if the car gets really hot its overheating. if thats the case maybe its the waterpump. while car is running squese top radiator hose that runs to radiator when you lit go and you dont feel it **** alittle that means the water pump isnt working.

i dont think it needs a waterpump. what temperature thermostat did you put in? unless the fan is running all the time maybe. i would try another thermostat, the engine needs to be at least 195 degrees to produce decent heat.

could be a leak or crack in a radiator hose
could be water pump not working good or leaking
could be radiator leaking
could be thermostat half blocked