Run electric fans all the time?

True... but it's also trying to cool only a small V6, not a big-cam 451 :)

When I say the temp only fell to 196, I mean it came down within a few seconds to that level and but did not continue dropping. It stabilized at the new "stair step" level.

Edit: Thanks for the link to the Meziere spacer! I'll definitely get one soon :)