Leaking head gasket allowing exhaust gasses to enter the coolant in the water jacket would definitely cause it to overheat. Try doing an exhaust gas test in the coolant. There are chemical test kits.

 

I previously did an exhaust gasses test but it seemed negative but ive read you gotta wait longer than the instructions? any tips?

 

Final update for everyone, my overheating at idle and with the ac on has been fixed. Recently i decided to do the headgasket just to confirm and the old headgasket ended up being fine but it got a new one anyways. I had an exhaust manifold crack at the usual spot so i replaced that as well. Still was overheating. Anyways i decided to actually check the airflow of the E-fan with paper. Previously i had just used my hand to feel it. Turns out the Efan was blowing air from the engine bay to the radiator this whole time. I reversed the wires to correct the flow so it pulls and boom. all overheating and AC issues gone. Cant believe it. all this work and time and it was the Efan flow. LOL. Anyways just happy to have it fixed.

 

Yeah, that'll do it.

 

Your discover is not in the troubleshooting section of any manual. Time and effort well spent. Now everyone can add it to their own troubleshooting tree.

Dropping off a sixer would be a normal thank you but in this case..