So far my only problem.  I missed the large hose on the back of the
thermostat housing and when it reached operating temperature/pressure, it
let me know.  Not too bad for what I've been through.

OK, so here's the real issue.  First some specs:  87 Vanagon Wolfsburg
Automatic.  Blew a head gasket.  Had a spare engine I got from a guy who
had an 86 and did Zetec.  Turns out (bad luck for me), it was a late 83 or
early 84 1.9 model (thanks to the list for the scoop on that) that was
converted to late model induction.  Put a new water pump on as I had no
idea about the old one and bought a new one just for that motor to do a
swap.  Previous owner put a Syncro harness and thermostat housing in so I
kept that since the plastic one on the 1.9 had a crack.  I got it in and
started up.  A little lifter clatter but no other issues.  I took it for a
test drive and the temp shot up.  No lights, no buzzers, water tank is
full, no puking coolant, no hissing, no venting.  Was is hot?  Not sure
really.  Hard to say after not driving it for two weeks and it's hot as the
dickens in Florida now.  Can't say to be sure.  Previously, the needle in
the temp gauge ran just a little into the light but never over the light
completely.  I had a low temp thermostat and fan switch.  Never heard the
fan came on.  It's like the gauge is freaking out but neither the engine
nor the fan knows the coolant is hot or over temp.  That's purely
conjecture from casual observation so don't bet the farm on that.

Any thoughts?

I'm happy it's running.  At least the guy didn't sell me a boat anchor.
 It's not the "boat" it was advertised at but I doubt I'll notice the power
or mileage difference.  At least this will buy me some time to get a
properly done job replacing the heads, cleaning it up, and replacing all
the old items on my old engine.

TJ