crazecars...thanks for all the great info! I'll grab an IR temp gun today & run the tests like you detailed out. The water pump is a new one I bought & was running last year, a Tuff Stuff standard water pump. I had no overheating issues last year at all...that's why I'm stumped. I'm using the same hoses, carb, & MSD ignition. The hoses I purchased thru Ames but they do not have the springs installed inside. The only changes I made where the cam, having the heads cleaned & worked on & installing the Performer intake.

The tstat is currently a 180 Milodon.

I'm not sure of the spacing with the divider plates in the WP, but I did install them.

The 16" fan is installed at the front of the radiator as a pusher, but obviously did nothing to help. I only installed this as a step to see if it would help in the cooling process, but obviously to no avail.

The engine overheats when at speed, it'll take a little while for the temp to climb at idle. I can drive it approx 2-3 miles & the temp goes above 220 & when I park it & idle it, it goes northward of 230 & I shut it down, then anti-freeze pours out the overflow tube.

I'm currently running a 50/50 mix with Be Cool additive. I tried it with just the 50/50 mix prior & same result.

The instructions for the timing was from Comp Cams & MSD.

I've tried with both the filler plates installed & without. No difference.