78 Ford F150 Ranger XLT 4x4 running to hot in traffic
 

My 78 Ford F150 Ranger XLT 4x4 w/ a 351M/400 built to a 400 has been bored 30 over,crank turned 10 i have put a new three core radiator,new high flow water pump, and a new high flow thermostate and in traffic or at alot of ready lights.The motor runs between 200 to 220,would a 4core radiator and adding a electric fan be the only answer to cooling this 400 down??Als the timing has been moved from 12% down to 9% and still no change in temp.

are you positive that you have an overheat condition or a indicated overheat. have you checked to make sure that gauge is reading correctly? also does this engine have a fanshroad? what are you using for coolant. 50/50 mix i hope. remember that stright antifreeze has no heat carring properties. try adding just water and see what happens. does the temp drop when you crank the heater? have you replaced your fan clutch?

the gauge is new and does work right,,yes it has a fan shroud,,yes a 50/50 mix,,,i have a flex fan, i do not have a fan clutch,,well any gauge reading will drop a little if the motor is hot and you turn the heater on..i have tried everything besides buying a 4core radiator and adding a elec fan..i have even used water wetter and that doen not help..i do not drive it alot now because of it getting hot in traffic..

200 is ok but 220 is getting a little warm. An electric fan on the front would help. Is your flex fan stock or aftermarket?

it is after market,, i have done everything so far.the only two things that are left to try is a 4core radiator and a elec fan.

I would trash the aftermarket and install a stock fan.

Ditto ^^
Actually nosing up to 220 on a hot day in traffic isn't alarming. I'd get worried if I saw 230, though.
I'd also bump the timing back up as long as you're not getting preignition.

what about hose the new too? maybe a collapsed hose? just thinking out loud....lol

the hoses are new they have wire in side to keep them from closeing up,,the timing was set way to high anyways and dropped it from 12 to 9 to see if that would help, and also it was preignition so now it does not do it any more..i will see about putting a stock fan on and see what that does