Have ran it for a good 70miles and no problems. Heat is toasty
I guess from what I have read, the vacuum controls the openings and to which vent it comes out of. Mine is only coming out from defrost. I also noticed even with the dial on OFF, there is still hot/cold (wherever the dial is set) air coming into the cabin. Im assuming this is becomes of the vacuum, so I won't worry about it until I figure that out.
I still have the box for the thermostat in the garage. I asked the clerk for a 1997 ford ranger thermostat and they gave me what they had. I'm assuming it is the stock temp.