what's the normal operating temp?

i have just installed a rebuilt engine about 400 miles ago and my temps are throwing me off....
the stock gauge is reading about 1/4 - 1/2 with a/c off (freeway/city) and 1/2 - 2/3 with a/c on (freeway/city) but my aftermarket gauge is only reading 125 -130 with a/c off and with a/c on it's 150 - 170...


is that normal??? which should i trust, stock or aftermarket???



could the problem be that i "T'd" the aftermarket gauge off the wrong hose (the hose going into the bac valve from the water pump housing)?

could it be my anti-freeze to water mixture (i believe it's 40/60 antifreeze/water)?

help me out here guys...i don't want to overheat my new motor before i'm done with the "break-in"...

 

Take your sender, drop it in a pot of boiling water (ground the body of the sender first), if your guage reads 212 or close to it, your sender reads fine.

I'd rather have the sender in the path of main coolant flow, i.e. in the waterpump housing.

PaulC

 

http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/MODS/EL/wtemp.htm

Your numbers sound normal.


-Ted