cooling system

I guess that what you mean by "if I run it at all, the temp comes right down" is that the car is moving down the road. If that is the case then you do have an air flow problem. The hood being off will make the problem worse. I would build a schroud if I was you, or mod one to fit. I have used old wide plastic schrouds from Imperials, cut them to size, and pop rivited aluminum mounting brackets on the sides, with rubber underneath anywhere it contacts the radiator, and they work great. After you paint them black, no one notices that it is homemade.

210 or 215 is not to hot, but it is starting to become borderline for a street car. I feel you need at least that much temp to make good horse power at the track, but on the street, if you get stuck in traffic, it can get out of hand fast. If you have aluminum heads, you need a bit more heat because they wick heat away so fast. 225 to 230 is gettin serious.

Earl

I would put the hood on and see what happens.