If I'm reading the OP correctly, it sounds like low coolant could be the cause of overheat. If the head/cooling system is full of coolant, u should loose some coolant when removing the coolant temp sensor.

 

Finally got the head back from the machine shop yesterday evening, came home and put everything back together. It runs great! Doesn't overheat, at least not yet, no more rough idle etc etc. I've only let it idle for about 30 minutes and changed the oil but it ran just as smooth as it possibly could have.

 

How much did it cost to get your head machined?

 

For the head to be vacuum checked, magnafluxed, valve job and resurfaced, obviously they cleaned it all up and it looked great, it was $147.50.