slow heating

[VintageMusclecar]

Operating temps of 195° and above were fine back in the day when we had decent gasoline, but these older carbureted cars simply do not seem to like to run right at those temps with today's gasoline. I can't begin to count how many complaints I've heard about running hot and constant heat soak/vapor lock problems on these older cars.

Also consider that the gas today is formulated for EFI (--there hasn't been a domestic carbureted vehicle available since ~1985). The ~10% ethanol in today's gas typically causes older carbureted cars to run a little lean, esp. at idle/low speeds, which can cause engine temps to rise.

I would first try adding a better fan and installing a shroud as suggested above. This alone may resolve the issue, but if not, you could try richening up the idle on the carb just a bit and perhaps try bumping the timing a little as well, that may help alleviate the creeping temps.

I'm also a big advocate of 160°-180° `stats in these older cars as well.