I hate to cross forums but there is a great tech article on another forum written by Steve Jacks. I am not trying to create any ill will. This is a great article and will answer many of the questions here and I don't want to plagerize someones work.
http://www.streetrodstuff.com/Articl...g_Suggestions/
In order of the article, the top cooling suggestions are;
1. Aluminum radiator
2. Lowest % of antifreeze that you can get away with
3. Highest tested pressure cap
4. High flow water pump
5. Don't use under-drive pulleys
6. Run manifold vacuum advance
7. For carbed engines; tune the carb
8. Always run a fix blade mechanical fan w/ clutch and shroud
9. Don't use metal coatings on radiator hoses
10. Proper ventilation of engine compartment a must.

Steve writes for Southern Rodder and has done a lot of research on cooling.