Wished I had you guys closer to me to get this thing dialed in. Everyone around here, doesn't know how to work on anything but a chevy. I think the biggest mistake was buying too small of a stall (2400-2800), and put a thermostat in the electric water pump. I have a 4 core radiator with large electric fan w/ shroud, which should cool. I guess the thermostat is restricting the flow too much. Easy fix to take out the thermostat. I'm open to all suggestions, in just a little over my head and don't know where to go from here.
From the description of your motor the converter sounds way too tight to me. I run a 9.5" with a stall rating of around 4500 and if anything I think it could benefit from a bit higher rating. I can't count the conversations where people think that because my converter has a 4500 stall rating that it slips to 4500
before moving the car.... Mine is locked up tight the minute its in gear.
Most electric water pumps do not have a bypass around the T stat. If you are seeing problems with your upper radiator hose collapsing thats why. It will also create overheating issues. If you don't have a bypass on the pump you will need to either run an orifice plate instead of a T stat or drill some holes in the rim of a T stat to allow for some bypass. I run an orifice plate in mine (I think .625 or .75") and have zero issues overheating in the summer. During the colder months I actually have trouble getting the motor warmed up enough..