Overheating or it’s normal !!

[q8charger]

Hello,

My car 1969 charger   . The engine from 1977  big block 440 and it have small cam almost looking stock .
When I'm driving  on the highway the temperature gage about 185 F which is in the middle of the temperature gage right ?  and the weather out side is 77 F . I'm using  BBM Crankshaft Depot aluminum water pump housing driver side for $97 from EBay , water pump from Milodon (Mfr. #: 16260), 160 high flow thermostat , Griffin Exact Fit Radiators 5-70004 Driver side from Summitracing and Derale High-Output Single RAD Fans 18217 for 2400 CFM with fully shrouding .  Some times I feeling it's Overheats because I expect less 185 F in the Nice weather  or it's normal ??

[c00nhunterjoe]

1st, stock gauges are not accurate. 2nd, assuming it is correct at 185, thats acceptable. A 160 stat does not mean you will run at 160. It means the stat will begin opening at 160. Most stats take about 20 degrees to fully open from the start point so a 16p stat will be fully open at 180 in most cases. Nothing to worry about imo

[q8charger]

So it's normal?

Weather outside 77 F

[BSB67]

1) looks okay to me
2) if it has a 180°F thermostat it will always be above 180
3) you gauge could be off 20° easily
4) with antifreeze and the correct radiator cap, overheating would be about 240°F.

[q8charger]

Thank you very much