Probably not helping. To lean can cause overheating. Retarded timing can too and it doesn't take much to go from lean and/or incorrect initial timing overheating to no over heating.
Probably closer to correct than AJ is since the OP stated there was no smell that leads to think it’s rich in any way.
Let’s start with the basics and work forward.
Seal the carb, bump timing another 8*’s.
Once the carb leak is taken care of and the timing is re set, try 18*, re jet as needed. Look for a brown ring around the plug. The closer it is to the base of the porcelain the better it is.
Please post cam specs
Do you have a fan shroud and what fan do you have?
Was the car a six cylinder?
