Engine Overheating, PLEASE HELP!

[86freebie]

driving it like that gets me 14.5 to 16 miles to the gallon. true miles not uncalibrated bigger tires reading. if i start driving it, like it can be driven i will drop into 11 miles to the gallon. my contour has 167000 miles on it that are hard miles. my mustang had 117000 miles and most of those are probably above 4500 on the tach. i do know how to rev-em-up
contour got 30+ mpg. step daughter totalled it a month ago
stang got 17ish. sold it to get this truck.

i dont insist but with a 15 gallon tank (safety buffer=14 gallon) thats only 2.5 days driving before fill up. it gets old. and at 11 mpg that would be a fill up every 2 days. my bank would cancel my atm/visa.

 

[95' Ranger SS]

I cant seem to figure out why. but my temperature gauge doesnot work. I put a new thermostat in it and gasket. and i know its overheating becuase A. the headgasket is leaking. B. i can smell the antifreeze when im driving after the engine is fully warmed up.

 

[MAKG]

You can have leaks and antifreeze smells on a cold engine. It doesn't mean you are overheating.

And an overheat isn't the only way to make the heads crack on 2.9Ls (though it does help).