I've a '66 -bird too and done soem checking with a laser thermometer.

If I pointed it near the exhaust-port the temp was up there but can't remember the figure.
At the intake near the thermostat housing it was around the 180 - 190 mark.

Of course you live in a hotter climate!

Oh, and the wisps of smoke? might just be an indication that the rings weren't 100% but I've seen plenty of motors with a 'wisp' wafting out of the breather that still ran OK for quite some time.

What is it like with the oil-filler removed, lots of smoke?