the thermostat is a 180 degrees one and it was definitely in the correct way. it overheats fairly rapidly, i had taken out the radiator this weekend and everything appeared to be fine from the exterior. i'll try to get a chance to take it to a shop sometime this week and have them check it out and get back to you all. i was told to turn it on and see if bubbles form in the radiator and there were no bubbles. but this time around there was an exessive amount of white smoke coming from the exhaust...

 

Excessive amounts of whilte smoke out the tailpipe is a good indicator you have blown a head gasket.

 

also if u remove the readiator cap and it spews fluid the milkshake etc

 

Just because it's not mentioned...

Is your fan shroud in place and in good condition. A fan w/ out a shroud will not be enough to cool.

As was posted, however, white smoke is an indication of a faulty head gasket.

 

the radiator wasnt spewing anything when i would rev it with the cap off and everything. the shroud is on and secure. is there anything else it could be? it's starting to look like i'm going to have to settle with a blown head gasket, though. what exactly does this mean and what can i do to fix it... if anything?

 

The only way to fix it is to remove the head, make sure that both surfaces are perfectly flat (might have to take the head to a machine shop to have it milled flat), and install a new head gasket. The quick fixes in a can do not work and could cause even more damage. JMHO