'36 Ford running hot but not overheating?

[zoopie36]

My 36 Ford with a modified '50 Merc Flathead runs about 200 degrees but does not overheat! Would like to have it run at a lower temp. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. zoopie

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Drain coolant below level of top tank and look inside at the top of the tubes for clogged ones ,

 

[zoopie36]

Thank you, but it is a brand-new radiator.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

What kind of “brand new” radiator do you have, how many rows of tubes?
What are you using for carburetor and distributor.? The original distributor uses a low vacuum signal from the carburetor for the advance., if you are running with the ignition retarded it will run hot.
Small head gasket leaks can cause warm running— take the belt off and crank engine with overflow blocked , the cap off and filled to the top — start cranking with the ignition off and see if the level is rising then start the engine and see if it make bubbles and level rises in the first minute