Adam, tune the carb and distributor for best idle quality, off idle smoothness, throttle response, and drivability in the "normal" driving range.
If the carb is lean or timing insufficient you will notice loss of power, "flat" on light throttle acceleration, and even some "bucking", kicking, or you just have to apply to much pedal to make things happen. It other words the engine will let you know when it isn't happy.
Once you are happy with how the engine performs, fuel economy is good, and no lag or lacking power anyplace, etc, and you still think it's running a bit hotter than it should, attack that as a separate issue.
We NEVER under any circumstances want to "wash" the engine with too much fuel to "crutch" a hot running condition. Even the big 455 should delivery decent fuel economy. Yours should end up in the 12-15mpg range, depending on city/highway, fuel quality, wind speed/direction, driving style, etc when doing the testing.....IMHO.....Cliff
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https://cliffshighperformance.com/
73 Ventura, SOLD 455, 3740lbs, 11.30's at 120mph, 1977 Pontiac Q-jet, HO intake, HEI, 10" converter, 3.42 gears, DOT's, 7.20's at 96mph and still WAY under the roll bar rule. Best ET to date 7.18 at 97MPH (1/8th mile),
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