OEM temp gauge numbers?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

So what is the temp when the stock gauge is pegged at "H"? 250? And what is half way?

[brad_man_72]

Factory gauges weren't accurate enough to put numbers on when they were new. Its 50 years later. Even if they were accurate it would only tell you the temp of the engine where the sending unit is located.
For 99% of the reasons why you would need to know the temp of the engine a cold normal hot gage works perfectly.
Id imagine pegged on hot would be at least 220*f

[davepl]

The gauge pegs around 250-260. That'd be FULL HOT, as much as it can read. The line before that is about 225F when I checked it with a thermal gun. Half way seemed to be about 180F.

[AnotherWs6]

Good question. Mine has gotten a little past way during heavy, hot traffic and made me very nervous. But I dont know if it should. Mine usually settles just above that first little tick mark a quarter inch up from the left. Just out of the "Still Cold Zone" I'll say. I shot the upper hose with a heat gun a couple minutes after I got home last night and it was about 185 still.