Well the lack of a thermostat is a good reason for the heat to not work, it will also cause the engine to be too cool in the winter and overheat in the summer( put it back ). The coolant is blowing back through the overflow because your radiator cap is bad, or there is a leak in the head gasket and exhaust or compression pressure is enterng the coolant system. I would check the cap first.
thermostat or blown head gasket....
Could be thermostat not opening causing a back pressure
check your water or coolant level If coolant level is ok, replace the thermostat.
Could be bad thermostat or plugged coolant line
Bad head gasket? Bad thermostat? Defective radiator cap?
Flush your radiator coolant and replace thermostat
Low coolant? defective thermostat? Heater core plugged, restricted, or airbound? Control cable not working? Water pump not circulating coolant?
You may have a blown head gasket.. Check the coolant overflow for oily, black residue.
Thermostat may not be opening
1) The thermostat is set high 2) It needs coolant/fre.on
Either the thermostat is stuck shut of the water pump is bad. Make sure that the coolant is full as well, then check the thermostat and pump to see why the coolant isn't flowing.
is your car equipped with a coolant overflow bottle replace thermostat have radd removed flushed and rodded