How hot is too hot????

[400/6/PAC]

I droped a 400 6/pac in my 73 charger.
The car hasen't been on the road yet but I crank it up and let it idle every few day's.
The temp guage goes to 220 after a about 10 minutes idleing and I shut it off for fear that it's getting too hot.
The first thing I thougt was a bad t-stat but its working fine.
It has electric fan ( 2600 cfm ) with no schroud and I haven't installed an oil cooler yet.
Just wondering, How hot is too hot, and what else can I do to cool it down.

[RD]

u sure your water pump is working correctly?  I would put another fan on that puppy.  it shouldnt get that hot just idling.  how far advanced are you on your timing?

[400/6/PAC]

The timeing has been played with a little but it cranks on a dime and idles real nice.
The response is amazing when I give it a little gas.
I thought it might be a bad guage ( electric aftermarket ) but it climb's slowly as the engine runs and seems to be working correctly.

[Ghoste]

Know anyone with one of those laser temp sensors?  Wouldn't hurt to shoot it with one and verify the guage.

[Rolling_Thunder]

agreed - if you use a GM sensor it will read about 230 when the car is actually 180

[400/6/PAC]

Know anyone with one of those laser temp sensors?  Wouldn't hurt to shoot it with one and verify the guage.

Yes
I can get a laser temp.
Thanks