Alright, I'm all squared away. Its running much cooler now. My old radiator was majorly plugged up. I'll spare all the minor details, but it came together well in the end. Here's again a summary of what I did in the end that made the difference:

- flushed the old radiator using the process on the preston flush bottle

- replaced upper and lower hoses

- replaced thermostate with 180 degree stat

- replaced radiator + cooland bottle and hose.

When I first assembled the new rad, there was a leak at the water pump. I doubled up the tie wraps and used some high temp silicone (problem solved).

The only thing I still have not done is hook up the switch I ordered from summit. The fan kicks in now around 220, but when I took it for a spin the car runs at around 180 from the wind hitting the airdam, so I may just leave it as it is and forget the switch to make the fan kick on earlier.

I think at any rate, I have this thing running at factory spec for the cooling system now? I would like to tackle some of the "other" things

 

good to hear...I just got my LG4 back to stock spec from the previous owners neglect..I gotta see what happens when it gets hot here (should happen any moment now, since its FL) and see how it does.

 

With my old 305, I've NEVER seen the gauge go more than a hair above 160 except twice. I dont know why it runs so cold all the time. THe thermostat is obviously a 160 deg thermostat and the rad is a newer 3-core Modine radiator. But I didnt think it would just ALWAYS run at 160 no matter what... but it does...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PT29_-0B9Y

This is a stupid, quick WOT video I did right before my engine swap for the memories... and you can see at the end when I swing the cam over the coolant gauge is right there over 160 (bottom right on the center 4 in the cluster for those who are unfamiliar with the 91-92 dashes)

 

I wouldn't expect that in Georgia. When I was in Canada with a 160° thermostat and the first fan programmed for on at 172° and off at 165°, the fan would never shut off once it went on (assuming being below 40 mph)

Even on the highway on a cool fall evening, it would go to 175 then drop to 160, then go back to 175, 160, 175 etc.

That must be one heavy duty radiator you have.