Hi Fellows not on here much since I sold my 55, however, I have a Ford question problem. I just rebuilt a 65 289 when it gets hot the thermostat will not open and the thermostat hose is really hard (from compression?) however, no water is flowing back through. The water pump sucks the water out of the radiator but it's not flowing back through. I changed the thermostat and still get the same results. I took the thermostat out and of course it circulates fine. The water pump is new and pumps from the passenger side (just info) Could the return hose on the water pump not be working since water should pass through it when the thermostat is closed. I blew into the return hose and felt no restriction I bought another thermostat and tested it in how water and it opened I'll try that again tomorrow. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

Thermostat in the right way? Coil toward the engine?

 

My first thought also