Thanks chuck!
It was the o2 sensor, I attached a multimeter, the readings were very erratic, would shift rapidly from .55 to .25 then back and up when the temp gauge read 200+deg.
After reading a little about 02 sensors I discovered that they are not used by the ecu unless the system is in closed loop.
I guess when i repaired the thermostat, it enabled closed loop operation and the o2 sensor to come up to operating temp, so I would have seen it when the thermostat was missing.
I am about to take it for emissions testing, its been sitting in a garage for 8 years.
Have replaced oil with synthetic, 02 sensor and water temp sensor. Replaced the gasoline with Premium unleaded with 10% ethanol. The car comes up to temp well, and theres' a little blue plume when the car starts from the valve stem seals, which I plan on doing later some time.
Do you have any recommendations on getting through emissions testing?
Thanks Rockstar