I don't run a remote pump, but I do have AN hoses. I had a 16AN bung welded to the inley of the aluminum waterpump. The t-stat as a Chevy 16AN outlet from a circle track store. I had the housing bored to recess the t-stat about 3/4" below and then set a spacer on top to keep it in position. I had a bung welded to the radiator, the other hose has a threaded 16AN fitting.

I have a reverse flow Meziere waterpump with 16AN fittings I ran on the last engine. FLIW, I probably should have gone with AN 20.