engine rebuild

Alright, I have had a few other posts asking for info/help, and I am about to do it again. My 1990 2200, after a motor rebuild, is doing 2 things that I'm not sure how to fix.

#1: It idles fine, but when I put it in gear it dies out. I should not that I installed a weber 32/36 and eliminated all the extra emissions crap.

#2: the whole reason for the rebuild is because I over heated it after the weber install. it still wants to over heat. I replaced the thermostat but not the water pump or radiator. I should also note that I pulled the fan shroud off since it was in pieces anyway, and it is obviously overheating in the driveway while idling since it dies every time I try to move it.

any info and tips would be greatly appreciated!

I can't offer much help with #1

#2 Check your fan clutch. It probably has gone bad. there is a way to test them and it involves seeing how much resistance they offer when you push on the blades. They should be substantially harder to push when the engine is hot. What happens when they go bad is they get really freewheely so they don't pull any air through the radiator.

The other thing I would check is the radiator. 24 years on one is a long time and replacement cost is pretty reasonable.

I think you are right about the fan clutch, that will probably be the first repair for the cooling system that I do. As far as the idle thing, right now it wont even idle unless I start it a few times. it seems like it almost has to warm up before it will idle, It still wants to die when I put in gear. I checked compression before it would hold an idle, and I am getting 120ish in all four cylinders. the plugs seem like they are a bit fouled, but they are still the old plugs so I am going to try replacing them. and it is backfiring. so Im thinking the timing may be off....