I didn't get the new one in this weekend like I had hoped, but I did get to do a little more observing of the thermostat while driving. Again, it never got above 150, less at times. But when I stopped and cut it off, it rose to about 175 before cooling off again.
Is this normal? Is it really running at 175 and the copper line to the gauge is losing some of the heat before it gets to the gauge?
If it matters, the fan is just a solid bolt on, not clutched or electric.