My engine temps are high...real high, Paging Jake Raby Options

[purple]

Hey Yall,

I just installed my Cylinder Head temp sensor under the plug on #3, didnt cut the wires and installed everything as per VDO specs.

I also hooked up my oil temp gauge and to my delight, the sensor actually works.

Now, the bad news...

My engine runs hot....REAL hot.

According to Jake, this thing should be severely damaged by now. At idle it'll get up to 350 on head temps pretty quick and stay there.

After driving a little it'll get to 400 and stay there, going down to 350 when sitting at a light. If i start cruising at 45mph or so, it'll get to 400 and a little beyond, i think i've seen as high as 450 on there. Just cruising in 4th gear going 45 will do this. The thing is, the engine sounds fine. I was expecting to hear wierd noises or see smoke, but it just keeps thrumming along. What's going on here?

About the engine:
hydraulic lifters.
no lower air diverter (plastic flap thingy) on passenger side
no lower engine tin on driver's side
pretty much shot seals around the engine tin
no warm air guides
stock 76 exhaust manifold to cobbled shitty motorcycle dual exhaust, 1 per cyl bank
weber progressive carb
what looks like a 009 on there (mallory and promaster are on the way)

What can I do to lower these temps? is my engine toast? (it seems to drive just fine, if a little slow)

It had run-on and was pinging on the last tank of gas (regular) but now i'm running premium and those things seem to have stopped

Help me guys, jake, what can i do? timing? too lean? what?