Normal temperature gauge reading? SEE PIC INSIDE

[sbx22]

This is my normal operating temperature. During a cold morning before starting, the gauge will read all the way to the left, cold. I've always wondered if this is normal, and is it reliable. For some background, I've replaced the temperature sensor on the engine block 3-4 years ago just to make sure things were working when I was doing an overhaul. Thanks for your input.

[sbx22]

Thermostat is 180 degree by the way

[bedwards]

The gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Having said that yours looks very low. If you thermostat is stuck open, I would expect the temps to swing wildly with the outside temp, Its easy to tell. You can buy a cheap digital thermometer.
Be sure and get one that reads as high as you need to go. I have this one that does all I need #69465 Harbor Freight.
Get the truck to operating temp and check the temp on the output of the thermostat housing. It should be very near the 180. If not you need a thermostat.
This thermometer can help you figure which cylinder is not firing and many other temp related uses.

[VileZambonie]

You should have a 195° thermostat to read normal

[Engineer]

That is where mine would read with the 180°F thermostat.

If you have a 195°F thermostat it will read approximately the same margin on the opposite side of that first white mark.

[sbx22]

Thanks guys. I will swap to a 195 soon.

[75gmck25]

I have a 195 degree thermostat, and have both the stock in-dash temp gauge and a separate mechanical temp gauge.  When the mechanical gauge reads about 195, the needle on the in-dash gauge is still only at the white line at quarter scale.   

I've always assumed it reads low due to aged wiring, or a gauge or temp sender that's a little off.

Bruce

[Rapid Roy]

I have had strange temp gauge problems for about 2 months. Or at least thought it was gauge problem. Got new gauge, did same thing. Decided to replace sender, fixed problem even though replaced sender last November. Now hand shows from around 12:00 to 1:00 position depending if using AC or not. You may have a sender problem too, not sure. You can look for my recent post on this to get more info. I have the same gauge you have.

[MrFiveOh]

I have a 195 degree thermostat, and have both the stock in-dash temp gauge and a separate mechanical temp gauge.  When the mechanical gauge reads about 195, the needle on the in-dash gauge is still only at the white line at quarter scale.   

I've always assumed it reads low due to aged wiring, or a gauge or temp sender that's a little off.

Bruce

Id check your coolant level, mine was acting like you describe and it was extremely low.