Cooling a 460/Head Gaskets

[wizard]

I have a 460 that has gradually gotten worse with heating problems and some associated vapor lock. To date, cleaned radiator, higher flow water pump, no antifreeze, water wetter solution, 160 thermostat after no thermostat, and timing. A drag racing friend suggests pulling the heads to verify that the gaskets aren't on backwards/upside down/or whatever which might block some water passages. I've been reluctant to try this because of the tightness in engine bay, but I guess I now have no choice. Any thoughts here, before I start the tear down later this week?

Symtoms are a steady warm up with no temperature burp at 160 when the thermostat opens. Temp continues to climb slowly but steadily. When temp reaches about 200, the engine wants to stall at stop lights and then not restart until it cools down, probably vapor lock (gas is boiled in Carb). (I can't put that non heat conducting plate under the carb because of clearance problems.)

I have a West Coast which uses "puke tank" so it's impossible to see if the water is flowing but as it warms up, you do see the water expand as it absorbs heat. Monday I'll be borrowing a radiator cap with pressure guage as an alternate way to verify water flow.

I'm open to all suggestions, even the ones I've already visited.

I bought this car to have fun but sitting in a left turn lane waiting for this puppy to cool down while you block traffic isn't my definition of fun.

TNX to all from Mr Dumas, temporarily shedding the "wizard" moniker