"Charlie" has Overheating probs- Here are my Clues and please chime in with opinions!

Jame, Frank- a very nice idea! I like both and will investigate further.

Back from the road, where I have been contemplating the bad girl's engine overheating while I had nothing else to do but think.

I will, in no particular order investigate: is it really timed right? Will use a TDC technique TopHat from SlantSix.org recommended to see if the TDC mark is accurate- and see if it is really, really set advanced or retarded. If retarded and once reset advanced, will I manage to get the fool thing to run without what appears to be spark scatter and a miss under a load? Will that finally "fix" this pesky overheating problem too?

I will check to see if I can see light thorough the tubes of the radiator to see if it is choked. I think I can probably use a glowstick on a string shoved into the bottom inlet. . .and perhaps a dentist's mirror on the top side to catch any glow. . .in a dark garage. . .

As a nod to Bill H., CrazyGuy, and InkJunkie, I will indeed see if that v-8 sized, aftermarket 3 core radiator is acting as an air dam instead of letting air through at speed. Shroud? Doubt I can find one that fits the thing for an engine-driven fan- but an aftermarket, thermostat activated electric fan usually comes with its own shroud. I am still not crazy with the idea that a v-8 radiator won't cool a slant without such help- but perhaps such is the case here.

Also from TopHat and James- will probably pop out the freeze plugs and see what I can see inside. Dig as necessary. That and the Evaporust or equivalent poured inside for a day or two might just do the trick.

Will let all of you know how it comes out as I proceed. Appreciate all the good ideas and places to look gentlemen.

Mike