Yeah, I plan on getting rid of that flex-fan.  I only put it on there to see if it would help get my temp down and it didn't...

I do have a serpentine set up off of an GMC 1500 installed, so the flow of the water pump might be the reason why I'm getting such high temps...

I know the gauge isn't any good, but my engine is still reading a lot higher than it should be.  The temp gauge on my radiator is telling me that...

I think I've covered all the bases too which is why this temp issue is driving me insane...

By what you're telling me about water running from the upper hose across to the other side, it is going in the right direction, so I'm back at square 1, but I'll have to check it again when I get back home...

Thanks, JW454...  

Did you run this engine before you re-built it? If so did it ever have cooling issues?  

Nope, I never ran it.  My uncle had it stored when he pulled it out of a 1975 C10.  He said the engine ran fine when he pulled it.  Thats why he saved it...  

Back in one of your other post's you stated that your old water pump ran fine. Does that mean that the results were the same with old and new pumps? When standing in front of the car, does the pump spin right or left? With the serpentine system it is quite possible you are spinning a directional pump the wrong way.  

If I did make that statement, it was a mistake.  The water pump I have on the engine right now is the new one I bought after I had the engine machined and fitted with the current set-up...

The old water pump was an old rusted hunk of metal that isn't fit for being anything but a doorstop...

The part about the serpentine system is is very true, which is why that post struck me as it did...

If that turns out to be the reason why my engine is overheating I owe big-gm-tech a man-hug a case of beer his favorite beer!  

Stating right from the beginning of your post that you were useing a serpentine set-up, may have settled your issue much sooner. Good luck.  

You're right, but honestly I gave as much information as I thought was relevant...

I didn't know there was a such thing as reverse flow or reverse rotation water pumps...

I'm not even sure this is going to solve my problem, but it would explain why I can't get the temp to settle.  I don't have a problem with it overheating as I'm sure I'd be able to figure that out, what worried me was the fact that the temp never topped out.  I'd just shut it down once it reached 220.  That to me means that there were other issues going on...

I sincerely appreciate your help, JW454.  I'll be sure to post my findings...  

If you are running a serpentine system off of a later model 1500 then you need to be using the water pump off of that 1500 or one that is the same year application.  If your serpentine system is using a smooth water pump pulley, then the serpentine system requires a reverse rotation water pump.  Water flow is the same as a standard rotation, however the pump is made to turn counter clockwise in order to route the belt properly and use a one belt setup.  You need to use the water pump that the serpentine setup is based off of.  

Yep...

Thats what I put on it.  The water is moving thru the radiator exactly like it should...  

FINALLY!!

I've solved this problem...

It turned out to be the fan.  The blades on the fan weren't facing the right direction, therefore air was being pushed out the grill versus sucked into the engine compartment.  I guess using the fan off the Olds 307 wasn't a good idea...

I've been driving it since yesterday afternoon after I replaced the fan.  The engine temp never got over 180, it actually runs at 170.  I'm thinking I need to put a 195 thermostat in there now...

Thanks to all that assisted me!