I have a SB 416 stroker, ,Mezeire electric water pump,195 degree stat; aluminum radiator. New build less than 500 miles on motor. Distributor has been professionally curved . Water temperature at radiator cap is around 195 degrees as measured by Mr. gasket radiator cap with built in thermometer, also using an infrared thermometer with adjustable emissivity and a KD radiator thermometer. I noticed however that when I point the IR thermometer at the thermostat housing that it reads around 277 degrees. Shut motor off after warming and driving and it barely wants to crank. Starter is brand new Powermaster Ultra. just wondering if high temperature reading is normal "surface" temp for aluminum housing or indicative of something else going on. Car does appear to be overheating as radiator cap can be removed by hand 20 min after shutting down and as I said earlier temperature at cap is around 195. Am I missing something or is the hard to start evident if tight motor rebuild?
