Just wondering what others may be seeing on temps? I have a 1981 stock with a 350/195hp GM crate motor installed. All ECM and other parts operating as was original.

190 deg running down the road would sound normal to me. The temp creeping up while stopped is also normal, since you don't have the same volume of air flowing thru the radiator. As long as the temps come down while moving, and they do not climb above 230 or so, I'd say yours is about normal. If it gets too hot, it will puke coolant. If it's not puking, then the temps are ok at that time. Another thing is, you can't really always believe what the gauge is reading...they aren't really all that accurate. If you have, or have access to an infrared temp gun, check the actual temp against the gauge, and see how close it really is.
 Make sure the radiator is clean, as in no bugs and stuff on it or the A/C condenser.

My 82 run about 190 - 200 water and 210 - 220 Oil. I do have an infrared red heat gun and my gages to match close.  So I’m sure on my car they are at least in the ball park. 

By the way we are looking at old cars and 40 years ago I did gage repair when we actually took them apart like you would watch changing pivots and shunts etc.   I guess all I’m saying is gages can change their reading over time so Adam is correct when he says they can be off overtime.  Some will not some will.  Never did that job long enough to get a feel for the why some did and some seemed not to. 

If you ever pull off the gage cluster you will notice shunts across the gage terminals and they will be different colors from your buddy with the same car.  Those are the calibration shunts.   My guess is the gage manufacturing specification was so wide that they had to be calibrated before installation to meet the accuracy requirement for the car.   Does not make a lot of difference unless you replace the gauge with another one.  

|UPDATED|5/26/2012 10:27:21 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

My oil and water temps also seem to reach the same temp range the longer I'm on the road.  Always around 190 for water 200 for oil.

|UPDATED|5/26/2012 10:28:51 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

My 74 runs just slightly above 200 on the highway.  I have noticed once or twice that if I stop at a rest area that when I restart the car, the temp has spiked.  It worried me the first time or two, but as soon as the engine is going and the fan running, that it cools right back down.

I think my temps are around normal after too talking with a couple of other '81 owners on road driving conditions.........it's when I am stopped, engine shut off that temps climbs in engine compartment more and makes restarting a little harder.

Is engine crankaing at the normal speed when hard starting? If not it may be heat soak of the starter solenoid causing the hard start.....happens frequently with headers. It will start normally when engine has cooled.

Yes Dan, engine spins over fine, believe just some extra radiant heat buildup in engine compartment once stopped and fan is not turning. With all still factory installed parts, air pump, ECM, AC etc it is a full engine bay with little air space to let escape so on those hotter days and harder runs reckon just need to pop the hood for a few to let the heat escape and not built up inside.

Have you tried a carb heat shield?