Here is what i have done. I replaced my water pump. While removing it i broke the temp sensor. I replaced the pump, temp sensor and t stat. I got the sensor and t stat from Autozone. Put everything back together. Got heat but temp gauge wasnt working. Also, the radiator hoses were staying cold and coolant in overflow was cold. I read that the truck doesnt like Autozone parts. So, i replaced the temp sensor and t stat with Motorcraft parts. Still having same issue. All radiator hoses are cold after a half hour of running and driving around and coolant is still cold and the temp gauge isnt moving. I jumped the plug for the temp sensor and the gauge pinned in the red so i know there isnt an issue with the wiring. I parked my truck on a hill with cap off the overflow tank and still nothing. Any ideas? Ive been messing with this for a week now and am lost. Ive dealt with air pockets in other vehicles before but if that is what is going on here i am lost on how to fix it.

 

Ive personally never had a problem with air pockets in my 7.3. Usually if there is an air pocket in the system it will cause your truck to overheat. Are you sure your putting the T-Stat in the right way? The only reason your hoses would stay cold is if the T-stat wasnt opening. I highly doubt 2 t-stats are bad. What temp thermostat did you get?

 

I am pretty sure it is a 195. Ill have to look it up to be posotive. I got it from the Ford dealer so if 195 is stock then thats probably what I have. I've read several places about putting the t stat in wrong. I put it in with the weep hole or whatever you want to call it facing the front of the truck and the stamped arrow pointing torwards the rear. The bridge looking thing on top goes from side to side. I did see pics of it going front to back also. And i boiled it twice and it opened bith times so i know it is working. Another thing i should maybe mention is that i have no pressure on the top hose of the radiator. I was trying to squeeze it thinking it would help push out air. It does push coolant around in the the overflow bottle but thats all it does. And what would make the temp gauge not move? My thoughts are that there should be coolant in the water pump to make it work.

 

Looked up the t stat. Its a 190 degree.

 

Hmm im not sure your temp sensor should work regardless of the t-stat be functional. The spring side of the T-Stat goes down. Perhaps the sensor isn't grounding for some reason. Too much teflon or something.