[RICK LAKE]

f16n Are you running March pulleys? If yes they spin the motor's water pump too slow causing to run hot at idle. 195 thermostat is too high, 180F will work just fine. Go to Autozone or pepboys and match your thermostat to one with a larger outlet port. I thought I used a BB Mopar for a 440 or 383. The port and 3/8 larger for greater flow. I run a 180f and when the motor hits the temp it drops to 150f in a heartbeat. Electric water pumps are more for 1/4 mile racing than road driving. These pump have a max speed for the impellor which may not be fast enought for the motor. Even with the air coming through the inlet of the radiator, this is still hot air with no place to go. Some of the guys are using boat bulge fans to push the air out the louvers in the side fenders. this drops the temp about 20f under the hood. Edelbrock makes a nice strong water pump with hiflow impellor. Get rid of the electric water pump and go with the belt driven one. Call Kirkland about a new set of pulleys he sells that are 5 1/2" on both crank and water pump for better flow. I hope that the head gaskets are on right also. Rick Lake