George-Many thanks for the response, I love all that you contribute towards the Pantera community. Absolutly you can post that photo. First memories for me was of that car and the birth of my younger sister.
Interesting comment on the Edlebrock heads, I didn’t realize they would require that much of an adjustment but that could point to my pinging, detonation, and possibly heating issues! i’m going to try retarding some next week.
The fluidyne radiator indeed has a drain petcock that I screwed in and open occasionally. Factory air bleed hose from the overfill tank was removed and capped. I also use a coolant hand pump at the swirl tank to help pressurize the system and push air out.
I installed all gates green hoses with the exception of the hoses that enter and exit the radiator as I cound not find correct bend. Also do not have a gates green from the swirl tank top to the stainless line. I guess my question here would be at idle they shouldn’t collapse due to vacuum correct? (I am overheating stationary at idle).
The fans are indeed blowing in the right direction with both pulling air through. The stainless lines are clean and look new which I verified when I put the gates green on in July!
Just looked through the parts and a Milodon pump 16235 was put on with a 180 thermostat and water restrictor plate back in 2015. She also has the better sunpro guage showing 100-280. I have not heard of the pump you mentioned nor the smaller diameter pully. This may be something to do!
Good to hear on the octane. Appreciate your input and good to know that she should be fine on 93. I’m guessing given what you shared about the aluminum heads that my timing is just off which is causing my stumbling and slight overheating.