My situation is a little bit different from yours, but the outcome may be the same. I have a 283 in a 60 vette here in Southern Cal, and whan I put that thing together, I couldn't get it to run cool if I had to. New water pump, new fan, electric fan, new gages, different thermostats, etc. For what ever reason, if I run what the book calls for on timing, I can't go a mile down the road without it getting hot. I finally said the heck with the book, and advanced the timing out, and it runs the same if it's 60 or 105 out. It doesn't cost anything to try it, just a little time.
