As someone that has dealt with cooling problems, I don't think the shroud is the problem. If it started heating up while driving, the shroud likely won't help. However if its just traffic/idle cooling issues the shroud would help. I am assuming the motor is original? Or has it recently been rebuilt? If it sat for awhile, or if it hasn't been rebuilt, it's possible that a coolant passage somewhere is blocked. I would first check your radiator cap, make sure the lower radiator hose isn't collapsing, then flush the you-know-what out of the coolant system.

 

thanks for all the reply's! someone suggested the cap and asked if the radiator was holding pressure. I noticed that cap was loose so I bought a new one. I had the same issue with the new cap so I bent the little ears that hold the cap down in a little bit, made it a little better but still a little loose. I took the rubber o-ring off the old cap and added it to the new cap and that solved the problem. radiator is holding pressure, temp stays around 190 while driving and 195-200 while sitting for extended periods. will still add a shroud when I find one that will fit.

also the radiator is an aluminum dual core after market, and the only stock parts on the motor is the 71 mustang bottom end 302, and 69 truck heads, everything else has been changed. the block and heads were gone through before I put it together.

 

Glad it all worked out for you. If finding a shroud becomes too much trouble you can always go with an electric fan.

 

Water flow in reverse?? Wow that is a new one by me glad to learn that thank you!

Other things to consider. Timing will cause a car to get hot as well as carb adjustment but really sad to say more often a head gasket leak will cause a problem like this on an older build engine. ? Is the water foaming in the radiator? or does it bubble up when just sitting at idle? There are tools to put pressure in the system and test but you should be able to sit and idle with the cap off and watch the water flow with little or no bubbles. If you foam or bubble try some cermaic block sealer. hope this helps

 

The newer 302s used a reverse flow water pump because of the serpentine belt on it.