Temperature Sendor Replaced but running hot

[mightyatom]

Hi All,
This is my first post on the site although I have been reading up on a lot of the older posts since I got my 72 Chevy C10 (350ci) a week ago. My first job was to replace the water temperature sender (Autozone part) which got my temperature gauge working although at normal running temperature it is very near the top of the gauge (80% towards the top). I ran the car and made sure there was no air in the system and topped it up as it cooled so think air in system is not an issue.
It seems like the water pump is working as the car never maxes out the temperature gauge so I was thinking it may be the thermostat and plan on replacing it next. Is there anything else I am missing which would bring the temperature down to mid-range on the gauge or did these old trucks always run hot on the gauge ?

Thanks Jay