Temp Guage, going crazy, your opinions... (long)

Got my car together yesterday, test drove it 20 miles, ran great, temp stayed at about 190+...

Started the drive to work this morning, about 10 miles in the city then about 15 miles highway at about 60-70.... Temp guage (aftermarket)stayed at 190 the whole way with a 160 stat, then shoots up to max and car overheats..

let cool, and check the radiator, fill with anti-freeze (thinking maybe an air pocket in the system or ??? took about a 1/4 gallon).. started driving again, 10 more miles, temp stayed at 190, then max's the guage, and overheats.. Luckily I was near my father-in-law's house..

Replaced the radiator with new, checked the timing (12 BTDC), new radiator cap, replaced bypass hose (other one was kinked), new temp guage and installed a 190 thermostat..... Drove it 25 miles guage never went above 210, stopped in town at a light, guage shot to max, then when i started driving, it dropped to 200... made it the 6 more miles to home, and this happened one more time, guage shoots to max then drops back down to about 200....

nothing in the oil, no smoke....

anybody have any ideas, thinking of pulling the heads to see if maybe i screwed up installing the gaskets???? both guages shot up so far the needles are stuck at 150...

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Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap)bored .060, 10.5" clutch, T5,89 ported heads, edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam, 600 Holley, high volume oil pump, front P235/60/R15's, rear P245/60/R15's.....

Some day (3:73 gears & N2O)!!!

will this ever end????