different than a marine engine,yes but why do they do this?TO FIGHT DETONATION!that pro stock engine is run on the ragged edge from the hit of the throttle to the end of the run.

air charge temp!!

Mike you are absolutely correct... Prostock big compression etc etc etc... Detonation hazard even with the octane available in race fuels!!

and run a good radiator cap to bring the pressure up in the system,,it raises the boiling point of the antifreeze same w/ our engines,,get the pressure up or the back of cylinders heads will develope steam pockets.Steam w/ not registrar temp on a sensor.

Guys, lots of good information has been provided in this thread. Yes, it did go off topic a little, but for the most part it's all relative. It's quite obvious that we have some very smart people here on this forum.

I'm happy with the answers and advice I received regarding the ring gaps for my set up. I'm definitely headed in the right direction.

I'm also very interested in the discussion that has unfolded regarding temperature extremes within the block, and whether to use thermostats, restrictors, circulating pumps vs crossovers, etc. This is all relevant to me and my set up (though probably with a little more detail than most would care for... still good stuff imo), and it's given me a lot to think on.

Just to add... In the beginning of my project, I was planning to use the aftermarket iron heads that I have, but have since decided on going with aluminum. I did this for a number of reasons one of which was to combat any detonation issues that the iron heads would have brought about. I have also decided to go with a crossover mainly for the reason that I don't think I can find a thermostat housing that would work with the blower set up... I feel the crossover is a necessary evil in this case.

The above probably doesn't add much to the overall discussion... just giving a rather casual update as well as saying thanks to everyone that's participated (or read and gained some knowledge) in this thread.

I was thinking about this today some more after I stumbled upon some car water pumps I have here.

I am curious, this particular setup that had 100* higher water temps at the REAR of the block, compared to the front of the block, what size block, and what generation block was this? Is there any data to view on this topic?

I myself, have never witnessed water temperatures 100 degrees hotter water or coolant at the rear of the block, EXCEPT, when someone installed the incorrect head gasket on the block, with the front water passages opened on the gasket, when they should have been blocked, allowing water to flow right in from the water pump holes, right out the thermostat outlet. I've seen guys overheat, seize valves, not once, not twice, but 3 times, blamed it on cooling problems, when in fact, they had the incorrect head gasket on it all along. Was all too common on Gen 5 and 6 engines.

I am just trying to get data, and also, understand, how, a circulating pump, evens out the water temperature in the block, better than a crossover? I'm also not understanding how, my vehicle, warms up much more uniformly, than a boats engine, to operating temp?