Ok, thanks for all the help.
I managed to get the air out finally and I've got heat now! I ended up jacking the resevoir side and leaving it like that overnight...did the trick.
I also tried unplugging the Sending Unit and my neddled dropped hard, so I am replacing that. HOWEVER, I'm having a heck of a time finding one with a single prong (as shown in picture). Some parts dealers can't even find "Temp gauge sending units" in their systems and the 2 that I did find had a "double prong" connector. FORD is ordering me my single prong unit @ 3x the price! Oh well...
I'll post my conculsion when I get everything sorted out...stay tuned.
