What gets hot on top and not the bottom? The engine? If so that's normal as the water passages stop about midway down the block.
Overheating however isn't normal. Overheating can be caused by many things, most of which it seems you have checked. One thing I don't see is an exhaust back pressure test, a partly plugged converter will hold heat in the engine and can cause overheating. So can something like low fuel pressure as it can cause a lean condition that will make the engine run hot.
Another item can be that the fan(s) are not activating properly. For that a scan tool and test light to check the power and grounds as the scan tool activates the fans is a handy thing.
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Thursday, April 13th, 2017 AT 1:58 PM