1984 ranger 2.8 v6

[Emerica1975]

My 1984 ranger with the 2.8 v6 has never had any issues with cooling until a month ago when the engine started overheating out of the blue. I figured a thermostat must be bad since the water pump wasn’t leaking or noisy or even loose feeling at the pulley. I never new until this point that this engine had 2 places for a thermostat. But my engine had the thermostat on the lower radiator hose. I replaced the thermostat but still the engine is getting too hot. I then replaced the water pump and flushed the radiator and engine out. Put it back together and still overheating.
im wondering If the thermostat on the lower radiator hose is in the wrong direction. Since the water is flowing a different direction.
my firstquestion is what direction does the lower thermostat go in the water pump. And also does this problem sound like maybe a head crack or bad head gasket. I apologize for the long wordy post but I love my Ranger and I know people on this site know these trucks!!! Thanks!!