"and the thermo stat is out"

Removing the thermostat is not a good idea and can contribute to overheating. The thermostat often times serves as a flow restrictor which allows the coolent enough time in the radiator to cool down.

Jpal
2003 E250

 

You may be right but I have run a lot of Ford and Chev trucks with them out in our climate. Don't take long to open that thermstat up at 100F towing a vehicle. If i don't find anything else I will put it back in when I change the water pump.