Just my $.02 worth. I have pusher fans only on my stroker and the engine builder told me the car would make the best power at 200 - 210. The only time I can get it past 190 is when I am in traffic and I did block the intake once and I really could tell a difference in the way it ran once the temp. hit about 210. My big block is another story. It has always ran around 210- 215 and I have never had any water boil over at all. I am a little suspicious of that temp gauge, but since it is original won't change it. When it is 118 degrees here and I drive it for a while it will go up to about 225 when I slow down but I never notice any change in the sound of the motor like you should get if it is really hot and there is no sluggishness at all, so I know it isn't to hot. That motor is now 35 years old by the way.
Ron
