Just bought and going through basics and found temp gauge not registering, replaced sending unit, thermostat, flushed system, etc. Worked too well, seems to be running hot now, close to over heat without any load. Any help on what is normal reading and thoughts to lower temp???

 

Once had a bud who put in his t-stat backwards. Definitly ran hotter. Need to valiate your gauge reading. Recommend putting a thermometer in your radiator when it is hot to determine the actual temp. If it is in excess of 190F or so, would suspect faulty T-stat since that is only likely culprit that was recently changed. Would not expect the gauge to read any further than midtravel when everything is normal. Good Luck

 

I just went through the same thing, cost me $1800. After new heads and gasket running below the "N".