Update: The last time I ran on the interstate it was much cooler outside then today, today it was 60f outside. Being more confident in the van, I went on a longer drive up the interstate. I live in the north GA foothills so we have quite a few long up hill grades.
In the past pulling a uphill in OD the temp went up to 200f. Today with the outside temp 20 degrees warmer and climbing much longer hills, the highest temp was only 200f.
Neither of the 2 thermostats I have here at home open fully in boiling water, so I am going to assume that the thermostat in the engine is not opened all the way either. If that is correct, then I am going to say the temp will be ok when summer gets here.

So I guess it is back to the stock dash gauge not reading correctly. I believe Jim mentioned the IVR might be bad.

I am amazed at how fast the Mechanical temp gauge swings.
I stopped at the store and when I cut the engine off, the temp was 195f. I checked the time and the engine was off for 4 minutes when I started it back up. here is what happened.
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