Top hose HOT, bottom hose(thermostat hose) cold. Tested thermostat IT'S GOOD... Just not sure of temp of water in pot. Oh.. New H2O pump & belt. Black, soft debris in coolant tank too..

SOURCE: 1996 ford contour gets hot , no hot heater or temp guage movement

Is your temperature gauge working now? That is of more concern then your heater as you wouldnt know if your engine was overheating until its too late. Your heater core could be clogged, they get clogged quite easily. You can flush them or replace. The part is inexpensive but on some models you have to take out dash to replace them, but on other models it only takes about 30 mins and a few bolts.

SOURCE: my 1993 honda accord is overheating. new

i would correct the leak before anything else and properly bleed system and go from there

SOURCE: 99 olds alero car over heating rapidly

sounds like a head gasket or a cracked head,

SOURCE: new thermostat,waterpump,coolant,block flushed rad

take the thermostat out and heat it up in a pan of water to see if it will open when it gets hot.
you should see it open when it gets hot.use a cooking thermometer to watch the temp. it should open between 180 and 225 deg.

SOURCE: BOTTOM RAD HOSE COLD TOP HOT. ENGINE TEMP ABOUT

Did you burp the air out of the system after changing those parts? It sounds like the thermostat isn't opening which is why the lower hose is still cold. Click my screenname, go to my tips and tricks, and choose the one about burping the cooling system - it may help you out.