350 operating temp..

[PowerdbyChevy79]

whats up guys... couple questions.. first whats the normal operating temp for a 350..i usually run a tsat at 180 but right now I have the tsat out cause of engine break in... just wanted to get some opinions on engine temp... my engine before (stock 190 hp) had a 180 tsat and always ran at 190..the engine I just installed is a 355 with worked over heads and a thumpr cam and I have electric fans now ..
second I pulled a valve cover off my 68 to replace some leaking gaskets and I noticed in one of the covers (the pcv side) there was like white oil sludge inside the valve cover itself ....like it has been sweating.. ive never seen this before wanted to get yalls take on that..

[geezer#99]

Leave the tstat in for break in. You want to build heat, not keep it cold. The bearings etc like heated oil. Better viscosity.
The sludge is from a poor working pcv or air inlet into the valve cover plus not enough run time. A quick run to the store and back doesn't build enough heat to help eliminate that moisture.
I'd run the 180 tstat.
Or a 195 if you have extreme temps.

[special-K]

All vehicles built get broken in with the thermostat in. I run 180 degree to keep a safer margin and have never had heating issues in winter or engine temp issues in summer. In fact, the gauge sits well to the left no where near H. I figure right about 180