Thanks for the tips and advice. The smoke was a pressure problem-pressure from too much oil in the system. Drained some and the smoke issue is gone. The temperature now fluctuates between 50% and 95% with no seeming pattern. (i.e. it doesn't just rise when I accelerate) Could this be the thermostat? Am I still looking at a head and/or gasket problem? THanks for the help.

 

Yeah, definitely replace the thermostat. That's an inexpensive but important part. In addition, when the engine is cool, remove the radiator cap and make sure the coolant level is topped off and, after you install the thermostat, be sure to bleed the system of trapped air. Finally, make sure that the radiator fan runs when the engine is hot. If not, this could contribute to the overheating.

 

first just check the level of the radiator fluid... if that is fine then swap the thermostat.