Car overheating, heater doesn't work. Help!

[ZoomZoomZoom]

I'm hoping and praying my car doesn't have a ::bhg:: I need some opinions, here's whats happening - car has had a small coolant leak for the past year. Birdcage light would come on about every 2-3 months. I took it to Gatlinburg, and I got a birdcage light after we arrived (we crossed over the mountains between KY and TN and I didn't pay attention to the temp gauge). Reservoir was empty. Added coolant, ran around town, it was fine. Climbed the mountain to the pass (~14 miles of hill), steam coming out of the car, coolant was boiling in the reservoir. Temp gauge was slightly higher than halfway up but nowhere near red. We let it cool, topped off the coolant, and for the rest of the trip it was fine. A month later, I went up to E. Ky (more hills!), we found the coolant boiling in the reservoir again. BUT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS AT NORMAL RUNNING TEMP!! Also had a leak at the thermostat housing. I have done the following this past week:

- new alum radiator
- new thermostat
- new thermostat gasket
- cleaned all sensors on thermo housing, repaired bad wiring
- replaced reservoir with clean, low miles unit

Ran the car 30 mins in my garage. Temp gauge stayed at a little below half-way. I have no heat. No leaks either.

I'm a bit leary of taking the car out of the garage until I got some opinions. What does it mean when a car overheats and the temp gauge shows normal?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[IwantMKIII]

compression check

 

[Zumtizzle]

Sounds like your fan clutch needs replacement or better yet resiliconing.
http://www.nichols.nu/tip482.htm

Mountains really test your cars cooling system. Mainly the fan. the factory temp gauge is kinda a joke. it moves after the operating temps have risen ~100 degrees.

But leak down at operating temp will tell you if the hg is blown.

Or one of those fancy napa block testers.