Carb Spacer Question and other Questions for a newb

I recently got my '76 running after better part of a year. Had the motor and transmission professionally rebuilt and installed them myself a few months back (302 and c4). Been out of town for work and I'm just now having time to fool with it. I'm having a few issues and looking for some advice.

I'm having issues with my edelbrock performer carb hot starting and I've read up on here and seems to be that I need to add a one inch spacer to control fuel temps under hood. I should note, I have an Edelbrock performer intake as well.
Is this the right one for my setup?

http://www.amazon.com/Edelbrock-871...1&keywords=Edelbrock+Carburetor+Spacers+8711#

Do I need to buy gasket to place between the manifold and spacer and one between the spacer and the carb or just use liquid gasket maker? If so which one?

Moreover, the motor seems to be running "hot". Its not to the point that it is overheating and steam blowing everywhere but after short drives around town and stopping the top hose going into the intake is under pressure when stopped and idling. The temp gauge is showing a high temp of around 210 degrees but goes down to around 190 after getting moving again. I should mention we busted the original fan shroud leaning over and tuning the carb. I have ordered another one from bronco grave yard. Is the fan shroud the main issue since it is a direct drive fan and the air can't "direct" over the engine like it should? Also, what is the correct temp for my thermostat that I should install a 160 or 190?

I plan on installing an aftermarket temp gauge today to double check the factory gauge and make sure it isn't running hot.

Thanks,
Trojan

You do need paper gaskets over and under the spacer. The spacer you cited has hollow spaces on the bottom and the performer intake has only a thin sealing surface on the carb mounting pad so vacuum leaks are a concern. Also a you need to be sure you have enough room under the hood to raise the carb another inch.
A 192 degree thermostat is fine so your over heating is not a result of the temp rating. It may be lack of a shroud or many other things, plugged water passages, lean mixture,stuck thermostat, retarded timing etc.
Air movement on the top of the EB engine is better than most cars and many trucks. Winter formula gas boils at a fairly low temp so a rich condition on hot starts is hard to avoid. Crack the throttle open while cranking to clear the excess vapor.

That one's pretty tall and it has the wrong configuration for the Performer's divided plenum. Just ask anyone who has sucked the center part of the four holed plenum gasket into their motor. Edelbrock makes a thinner one and it comes in open, divided, and four holed configurations. This is the one you'll need.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-9266/overview/

That spacer will work fine.It will work fine with a divided plenum. Its what gasket you use that can be the issue. but the gasket that blubuckaroo linked to may be a better choice as its much lower. felpro also makes some heat insulating gaskets that are like a 1/4" thick I've had good luck with them and you can usually get them at your local parts store.

Thanks for replies, this message board has helped out a lot and answered numerous different questions I've had. I'm excited to finally bring it back to life finally!

I have this intake:
http://www.amazon.com/Edelbrock-712...&keywords=edelbrock+performer+intake+ford+302

So as blubuckaroo I should buy and install the Edelbrock Heat Insulator Gaskets 9266 that he linked to instead of the 1" that I had linked to and try it first?

Furthermore, as jckkys hood clearance is already an issue. I have the stock breather with a new air filter now to get the engine running. I already have a 2" (maybe 2.5"; it was given to me) drop edelbrock air cleaner pan but I've read that a lot of guys are running a Mustang II element.

Basically what I'm asking is should I run something like this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-1002/overview/

Or buy an air filter (obviously I'd get a cheaper brand) like this to use with drop pan without the "top" of the pan.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/knn-66-3040/overview/

I also installed the other temp. gauge today and shot it with an infrared gun and they're all showing around 190 degrees running temp. Am I okay there?

Moreover, what cause the radiator the to make the overflow reservoir to fill up? And it won't suck the water back into the radiator through the hose. Something major I should be concerned about? It only seems to fill after cruising speed 45-55 mph. Doesn't do it when idling and I give it gas from the carb with hood open.

Thanks again for answering all these dumbass questions. I'm trying to learn!

OOOH! that Performer RPM intake is pretty tall. I wouldn't think it would fit without a body lift and/or cutting the hood. I've struggled with hot start flooding too. I lowered the float level a bit and added the insulator gasket under the carb. Some have had starting issues from day one on these old cars. Here's the starting procedure from the owners manual.

As water gets hot it expands the overflow bottle catches the excess. When the engine is cooled down and the water level has dropped water will get pulled back into the radiator. Of course as the engine heats up water will go back to the overflow so it may seem like its not refilling. Most radiaotrs will maintain a certain level nothing to really worry about.
Id go with the gasket that was linked or any other thick gasket you should be able to keep your current aircleaner.

Thanks for all the help. I ordered this gasket that blubuckaroo linked to:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-9266/overview/

As soon as it comes in Ill install it and give an update.