Left side of radiator
Right side. Clearly cut badly
Coolant top
Ok. I'll go back to stock setup. Also here are some pictures.

 

This is the coolant level after sitting all night. Where's the coolant going?!?! I'm thinking blown head

 

I would try a new 14 lb cap first. It might just be pushing some out while hot but not sucking it back in after it cools down. This would be common with a bad cap. Then go from there.

 

Yeah i bought a new cap and ima test drive it later. I got the stock spec 16lb tho. Not a 14. Should i return it and get a 14? I'm gonna try and make a mechanical fan work in there too but i doubt i'll be able to create enough clearance. I'll keep yall posted tho.

 

You should be good with the 16. The main thing is having new seals in it. Now fill it, drive it until warmed up, and then check the level again tomorrow.

 

Is that lower rad hose an adapter from big on rad to smaller?

 

The lower rad hose here? Nope. No adapters or anything like that. Just a regular lower rad hose. I dont know why the zip ties and addition hose around it is. It was there before i got it

 

I did that on mine because it was rubbing on stuff.

 

Also. The low coolant in the rad that I pictured earlier is not only low in the radiator. The coolant in the reservoir dropped below the full line a little bit so there's missing coolant and no leaks so that's why i'm thinking it's a blown head but does coolant evaporate? I mean either way, it shouldn't evaporate that much in such a short time anyway, right?

 

No it shouldn't, not that fast. Now you said the right words that explain you are actually missing fluid from both. This is a different situation now. This is what mine did when my head was cracked. It started with just a little a week until it got worse and worse. So see what it does with the new cap and if it keeps using coolant then you are on the right track with a possible head gasket problem.

There is an easy way to see if you are burning coolant. Take a look at the sparkplugs and if one or two are real clean and white compared to the others it could be burning coolant in those cylinders.

 

Didn't have time to check the spark plugs but the rad cap ddin't do anything. It's still overheating. Gonna check the plugs in the morning and bring it in monday and pay the $100 to get a cylinder compression test done. I'm praying it's only a blown gasket and no warping or cracks�� I really appreciate all the advice you guys gave me. I'll let you know if what it is.

 

Check the plugs, it'll take like 5 minutes and should tell you exactly. Also, have you checked the oil at all? Missing any? Oil look milky? Pull the plug on your oil pan and see what comes out.

 

In 86 there was no 4.0 so long radiator fitment could be causing you clearence issues with fans ?

 

I'm completely stumped. I took it in and got a block test done. It passed. Yay but also, now I have no clue what else could be causing the overheating. I'm going to replace the radiator and put a mechanical fan back in and hope that's it but if not, what else could it possibly be? where could the coolant be going if I don't have a blown head or anything. I'm going to check the thermostat today as I never got around to checking that before I brought it in. I'll replace that but wtf. After I change the radiator and fans is there anything else to even replace besides the damn engine?

 

Also yeah I know that's why it doesn't clear but I'm going to try and move the radiator a bit and bolt it in or something so I can run the mechanical fan but if not, i don't know what i'm going to do. It wasn't overheating originally when I got it and there were 2 electric push fans in it and it was 90+ degree summer in north carolina. they were definitely more powerful though, Not sure by how much.