if you have a 180 degree thermostat, what is the accepted "normal" operating range of the 289 - 302? consider that the air temp is up to 95 degrees.

 

Remember that the 180 degree thermostat starts opening at around 180, but is not fully open until about 200 degrees. So, anywhere from 190-210 or so is the normal operating temp.

 

Mine usually hits about 190 before dropping. Are you using a stock gauge? I put some really nice large Summit gauges in mine and I can actually see when the thermo opens due to the drop in temp. I could not see that on the stock gauge or the cheap aftermarket one I had.