Strongly agree on checking the ACTUAL temperature
with a known good gauge before tearing everything apart.
The best investment I've made lately is the "laser" or "infra-red" thermometer.
You can take highly accurate readings at various point on and around the engine
in seconds. I used it for years on my front engine alcohol dragster. Since it had NO radiator, water pump, etc. I Needed to know exactly where the hot spots were
cylinder by cylinder and top to bottom.
I, too, have always put AutoMeter gauges in my cars... Guess what. They are not
that accurate! I have found the electric sending unit units can be off by 10-15 degrees! Big difference between 195 to 210, when you are getting nervous out on the highway while eyeballing the rising gauge needle.
I take the laser unit with me when driving any of my old cars now.
my 2 cents
mike
