PCI_Raid I don't believe this, you hit it on the head, I feel stupid,LOL
I found on the manifold, the 2 manifold vac ports were turning black around them, DAH, leaking.
WOW runs much much better, and temp staying down, throttle response is better.
Gonna get a vac gauge and check it out. Thank You, starting to solve the issues.

Sometimes its nice to have a second pair of eyes. i wish i had someone closer. Most "cruisers" around me pay to have thier rides fixed. They dont understand why i enjoy wrenching as much as i driving. well that is until they need a car looked at. lol

I dont mind but my closest neighbor likes fords, ever rebuild a 66 thunderbird front suspension ? I've done 2 , first one was scary as the spring is on the top arm like an amc truniun setup.
Then i had to rebuild the 390! OMG i have to post pix of the pistons , cam and lifters!

i would say either the thermostat is missing or stuck open. You might also have the fluid too high. you shouldn't get flow until the thermostat opens.

I replaced it last year so I know it's there. I do have an extra 165 one that I was going to put in.I think there is a 195 in there now.

i wouldnt go that low where u live. In that heat the thermostat may never see cool enough water to close. i'd go 185.

Also i added a short story about my frieds 66 thunderbid 390 i rebuilt for him last summer in general chatter. it was one of the most trashed motors i ever rebuilt . other than the noise it actually ran Ok before i fixed it.
https://firstgenfirebird.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=252926#Post252926

Pci I can not tell you how many times someone on this forum said to me I have a vac leak, so I'd just check the carb base and intake where it ties to the manifold, but stop looking.
I found that not one fitting was leaking but both, the only reason why the fitting on the top was changed because the service manual shows it as a 90 deg. and never put 2+2 together. Thanks again the fresh eyes always is good and When the student is ready to listen the teacher will appear.

This is a possible subject of debate. In Jim Hand's book on Pontiac Engines he says "I suggest you use the t-stat with the temp rating that you want the engine to run at....I find that my engines run best with 160 degree tstats when the outside temp is 60 degrees or higher and the oil temp is up to normal. Higher coolant temps tend to make the underhood area hotter, heating the intake and carb, adn reducing the quality of air coming into the engine. This causes performance to drop. While dyno tests may show slight gains in hotter vs cooler engines, there is no engine compartment heating in the inlet air for dyno testing!"

I'm quoting his words, not mine. But based on that quote, I'd be very willing to try the 165 and see how it works. Especially if someone like Jim Hand says it might work better than a hotter stat...

All that said, I don't know how much daily driving Jim Hand does with his cars. His recommendations may indeed come from drag racing alone...and may not carry over to the street ideally. So I'm not entirely sure in what context he writes this.

If the 165 results in a runaway cooling system because it never has a chance to close, then you will lose cooling efficiency, and I agree entirely this could be a problem. But since you already have one laying around, it's certainly worth trying IMO.

yes it easy enough to try. i stand or sit , corrected.

I will try it just as an experiment then.