1987 Chevy Corvette engine very hot, temp guage shows 179

I had driven 30 miles on Interstate and just gotten off when the engine started losing power I pulled to side of road and checked guages. Temperature 179 normal range for this car, oil pressure normal.

I opened hood and everything was HOT to the touch. Even metal not touching motor, like hood brackets, sidewalls. Motor was so HOT that it could not be touched, as were all things mounted to it, alternator, A/C motor. I had the car towed to my home.

Next morning - Water level in radiator was good. Car started fine. Temperature guage heated up to 120 withing a couple of minutes, but engine was getting hot to the touch on all metal, including valve covers and turbo. I shut it down.

What do I start checking? Water was circulating some, as water in radiator was warm and pressurized, but not as hot as the engine seemed to be.