normal reading temperature gauge

[sbx22]

My truck is up and running. The temperature gauge is my next question. What is normal reading for you guys? Sorry, I don't have a picture. But my gauge is divided into quarters, and the temperature reading slightly increases only after full warmup and a run. It is not even close to the quarter mark. Is this normal? Since the temperature sending unit is cheap, I picked one up. I'll be putting it in one of these weekends. What's normal for you?

[bake74]

     My 74 runs about 190 all year, as does my 2000 gmc with the 454.  Most are about 190 or so, but depends on the thermostat you have in, different rated thermostats will open at different temps.

[87454westernhauler]

all of the 5 truck that i have had all like to run around 190. but my 85 c20 350 likes to run around 210. it all depends on the type of thermostat.

[sbx22]

That's the thing, my stock gauge does not have any numbers on it. It just has quarter marks and I don't know what temp the marks represent.

[sbx22]

Alright here are the pics. Not the best quality, but you get the point. The motor is off in these pictures, but the gauge pretty much stays here during operating temperatures. Is that normal? On cold mornings, it's all the way down to the C, so I do know that it moves. It has an oversized aluminum radiator, stock fan with clutch, and aluminum waterpump.

[bake74]

     That is a little on the cold side, 190 should almost be to the middle mark, I think the first mark represents about 150, if memory serves me right, the first mark is 100.

[87454westernhauler]

would that be caused by a stuck thermostate???

[firefighter]

I've got a 180 deg thermostat in my 454 and it runs up to and stays on the first quarter mark.
I have my electric sensor mounted in the RH cylinder head.
I've seen some sensors mounted in the thermostat housing. I suppose that could make a difference?
I have an actual thermometer I can stick down into the antifreeze in the radiator while it's running and warmed up to operating temperature.

[Blazin]

All my older trucks that vintage ran between the 1/4 and 1/2 marks. You say you have an over size aluminum radiator? I put one in my 86 and I have a hard time getting it warm enough to blow hot air from the heater. I cover about 80% of the radiator with cardboard in the winter, even with the plow up it runs about 190 / 195 degrees. I swapped a clutch fan on a while back, that helped get it up to the correct temp in the warm weather. During that swap I had ti run it for a few days with out a fan as I didn't have the correct studs. It never over heated with out a fan!

At the risk of being struck down by the Chevy gods I figured you guys might get a kick out of knowing the clutch fan I put on came out of a 75 Plymouth Fury!