Thats what I am figuring. THe previous owner actually had the thermostat installed upside down. Been driving it like that since I bought it without any issues. Hopefully the new thermostat should get things right.

 

wasn't the thermostat. If anyone else ever runs into this problem and both heater hoses are cold then feel up the upper heater hose until you reach the place where it attaches to the head. I found it was hot at that point but the hose was remaining cool. So after removing the upper hose, I jammed a screw driver into the hole at the head breaking free a clog. Firing up the engine with that hose removed blew out any remaining gunk and I am finally, after replacing the thermostat, removing and checking the water pump, replacing the heater core, and about 5 jugs of coolant, finally, I am getting sweet heat in the cabin.

 

Well I'm late to the party but glad to here you got it all figured out! And thanks for following up there's nothing worse than a thread that doesn't end with a solution!

 

And spring is almost here!

 

I know right
Got heat just in time

Should have the ac working by fall