Is the upper radiator hose getting hot when the Temp. Gauge says you are overheating? If not then grab that upper hose and squeeze it hard about ten times ..fast. That will Burp the air out of the system.

The upper radiator will get hot and your Gauge should settle down
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

Nobody asked this question, so I guess that I'll have to.

Are you sure that you installed the thermostat correctly?
The side with the spring should have gone into the head.
If you didn't, it won't open and the coolant can't flow.

As far as a air bubble.....Yes it can trap a air bubble in the engine block and the car will have the same symptoms as you describe.

You should be able to run the engine until it's warm (not hot) a few times with the resevoir cap off and the air will eventually (gradually) come out.
Sometimes it will have a big "burp", and most of the air will come out all at once.
Replace any coolant as required.
Never pour cold coolant into a hot engine unless the engine is running.
If you do, you can cause severe engine damage.

steve

i would be worried about having fried the pump if there was litterally zero coolant in the system. I think that the coolant lubricates the system.

Did you install the thermostat with the air bleed valve at the top? How much water/coolant did you get in there? Dan