Problem 1
After running my Sportrak has a hot top hose and a stone cold bottom hose, going into the thermostat. As I drive the temp goes to 3/4's at around 70 mph, but cools down when I slow down.
I've changed the stat, but the problem persists. If the water flows from the top to the bottom of the rad, then back to the block, can anyone suggest why the stat is at the end on the circut, and not where the water comes out of the block?

Problem 2 (possibly linked to problem 1)
When cold statring the car fires then dies. It does this several times, then it runs like a bag of spanners on a bad day, until it's warmed up a bit, then runs, but feels like the engine is holding back, anyone got any ideas?