When I pulled the water pump off again this time I found that the RTV sealant that I had used to assemble the gaskets had squished out so much that my flow was restricted to the size of a quarter. I took off the back of the water pump and checked the impeller to make sure there was not other obstructions and it was ok. Timing chain was in perfect alignment. I replaced the thermostat twice the first one I put in I got a little out of alignment and bent it during assembly. I can actually watch my temp come up to about 180 - 190 and then drop back down. Even though my engine is running really rough for some other reason I don't seem to be overheating.
My spark plugs were fouled because of all the black carbon build up. So I replaced them and ran my timing back to about 8 degrees and leaned out my carb a little. Misses very badly but my plug wires are all in order and at TDC my distributor was absoultely firing on #1 plug. I will replace my Holley 750 carb with another one I have and see how it runs then. The timing is a real question because if I set my timing between 6 and 12 degrees the thing runs like sh_t. If I advance the timing to 15 or 20 degrees it runs great. Oh yea I was getting a false reading from my timing mark, my pointer had lost a screw and moved about a quarter of an inch.
Now that I fixed my pointer, had my harmonic checked, if I set my timing at about 12 degrees it runs much better but I am still fouling plugs. But, the good news is I think I may have a handle on the temperature. I will know more when I get back in town next Sunday. Got to take care of my CFO--going skiing this week.
I raised another issue about my upper end oiling and that problem was dirty and plugged rocker arm rails. I took them apart and clean the rails, rockers. and stands very well with engine cleaning brushes and the purple degreaser and cleaner and now my oiling is so much better. Squirts
oil like crazy. The rocker arms had so much sludge and crud in them there was no way they were ever going to work correctly.
Thanks for everyones help. When I get back I will have these problems resolved (even if I have to replace my cam).