[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by 64speed

It does not creep with the ac off. Going down the road I would almost say it overcools because it runs about 176. If it does start getting hot from the AC and sitting still idling if I turn the AC off it starts dropping or at the very least stops. I have a 180 T-stat that opens right on time. 34 degrees total timing. Carb was setup by Ray Klemm. The tune is as good as I can get it with my skill level.

With a 180 stat and running 176 is normal for a 180 stat. Stats usually start opening a few degrees before their rated temp and don't fully open until slightly above their rated temp. A decent cooling system can keep the engine at the temp the stat cracks open at if everything is up to par. That sounds like what you have happening their, I see nothing to worry about with that.

There is a bunch more to timing than total. Idle timing and part throttle cruise timing is crucial not just to how well the car drives and performs day to day but it affects how cool or hot it may run as well.
I don't know if you have vacuum advance or a wiz bang programmable but you can accomplish a proper curve either way. Don't be afraid to experiment a little here.
Skip is also on to something. Most of these cars did have some form of ducting to direct air flow whether it was rubber or sheet metal pieces. A 68 400 firebird I recently restored comes to mind, it had a bunch of pieces around the radiator from the factory. Most of that stuff is tossed and discarded as not needed after 50-something years. Luckily it's all reproduce. Don't know what 64s had if any but something to consider