I have a 69 Pontiac 350 overheating at idle.

I turned it off as it climbed through 240. 80 Degree day: driving it goes to 190-200. Then at a stop light that thing starts climbing immediately. If you have to wait more than one light cycle your are freaking out watching that gauge climb and climb. Then you drive it drops back off pretty quickly. I sat in the driveway when I got back and watched it continue a steady climb without an end is sight.

Background:

1 Newly rebuilt at .030. First miles on the motor. Edelbrock Performer intake and Edelbrock Carb.
2 New Large 3 or 4 core Aluminum Radiator.
3 Fan Shroud Installed.
4 Clutch Fan 5 Blade.
5 AC but the system hasn't been charged yet and I had the blower off.
6 Tested my Thermostat and it works good and opens right at 180 degrees.
7 Took off the water pump and decreased the gap between the filler plate and the pump fins to 1.5 mm. The gap was around 1/4 inch or more. They say this caused cavitation in the pumps, especially at idle.

I need to do a compression check.

My whole engine bay seems like it is hotter than hell. My AC compressor is fire hot after the car is driven. As well as everything else under the hood. My fuel line is really hot too and I think my fuel is boiling or close to it. It really bubbles in the filter even after I shut off the motor. I rev the motor and it drops about 10 degrees, release it and it goes right up again.

What else can I check or am I missing? I am not sure what the vacuum lines have to do with cooling but I have seen things discussing it on the net. Anything for the vacuum lines using an Edelbrock 4bbl 650 cfm carb?

Thanks,

SAM