Installed a Auto-Meter water temp. gauge, reads 160-165F all the time after car is at normal operating temp. Stock gauge reads what it always has just a hair below half way mark. Once when at idle the Auto-Meter rose to 180F and the stock climbed to 3/4 mark then came back down to normal mid position. this occured righr after the install and hasn't happened since. From what I had read I was expecting 180-190F normal reading and up to 200-210F. Does 165F sound accurate?

 

The accuracy of your reading could depend on where you have the temp sensor. Where did you install it?

 

It's located in the upper radiator hose, I cut it in two, took off about an inch, installed a 3" piece of galvanized steel that I tapped for the sensor, used thread sealer, and clamped the the now two piece hose to this. No leaks, today it hung at 155-160 cruising and 165 at idle.