Word...
I live by this...

 

Looks like you got the soft spring grey thermostat in there. That is good.

this is a trifecta horse race.

Replace:

1) Thermostat like you did.
2) Radiator - Put in a brand new Nissens from RockAuto
3) Fan clutch

You will be then set.

 

Thanks guys. She is running a lot better. Still has a tick, but it seems a bit different than the loud knocking at high temps. I'll try and get a sound byte of it.

jfall, the radiator looks brand new and it is a Nissens. Not sure if it is the same one, but the item number listed on it is 64313A.

I think the fan and fan clutch is next, although it seems to be in perfect working order as of right now. It was 96F outside yesterday and temps never exceeded 194F in stop and go traffic. Stopped it would creep to 194F and then as soon as movement started we would drop back to 188-190.

 

That's perfect. I wouldn't touch a thing.
I used to have a tick, when I did head gasket, I found the small holes I the rockers were clogged. Used some chemicals and an ice pick and everything was like new. No more tick.