Thanks to all who are offering advice,....I am trying to get everything sorted out as best I can before I take the care to 'new' mechanic on Wednesday.

MAIN PROBLEM: car temp rises steadily at idle. Have not overheated yet.....but I shut her down at 230. Has NO problem running at 25-50mph...stays around 200-205 tops.

Shop 1 (last week): Replace 480? rear gear w/373. New torque converter and installed Griffin 31"x19.5" radiator. They ALSO set the timing waaaay back. I do not know how far....I do not know how to check this :-(

Result:This helped some.
At Idle car would not draw a towel towards vent.

I ADDED 1700cfm 16" pusher fan on front of radiator, added new
gauge cluster and sensor and put in 160degree thermostat (did not have one in there before??). Car also has 18" 6 blade flex fan and crappy ill-fitting shroud.

Result:This helped ALOT and car easily pulls towel at idle and runs much cooler. I feel comfortable driving around evenings as long as I dont sit too long......

I have called a new shop and have an appt for this wednesday.
The new mechanic who has not worked on the car yet wants to set the timing back to 'proper'. He says the backed off timing is causing the heating up. He also wants to lock the distributer and install a 'starter saver' AND drain the radiator and fill with water only and water wetter. He says I must run a racing gas mix to prevent detonation as well (fine with me).
I HAVE NOT HAD the above work done yet.

On MONDAY (2 days before above work is scheduled) I will install the proper shroud, and hopefully a good solid pitched blade as well.

I am still searching to determine if the set back timing is causing the heat......IN ADDITION to the fact I do not have a remotely adequate shroud or good solid pitched fan for that matter.
AND if locking the timing will cause me TROUBLE or not.
PERHAPS I should just have him set back the timing to normal, and NOT lock the advance?????

Again,...thanks to all and anyu further advice will be MUCH, MUCH appreciated!

Jeff Dobrow
"new,....but learning"...
btw - Pic of the troublemaker is in my photo gallery now :-)