Yeah it runs super cool. Definitely stick with the original if you can, but beware of leaks and blockages, the latter of which are pretty likely in a 20-year-old radiator. It sounds like you've got an ultragauge already if you know the specific temps you're operating at, but beware as the dash analogue gauge is not very accurate, and a few very small clicks up or down can be the difference between a well-running vehicle and mild overheating, a precursor for other problems... Engine temp is the #1 readout on the #1 page for my ultragauge

 

i use my old iphone 4s with obd11cardoctor app and a wifi dongle on port and really only have it set on engine coolant temp,just bought an infra red temp gauge on ebay and will check rad corners when i get it,i really think my waterpump [newest item replaced] is circulating coolant so fast that it stays hot once it gets to 212 although temps do come down once moving but down to 201-206

 

rjlsierra - I want to apologize - the numbers I was seeing last year would have been more around 219 not 228 - I pulled my reader out last night and realized it. I was also still sorting issues then.
This morning was 51 degrees out - stop and go traffic for about 20 to 25 min - 182 degrees was the max reading.
We have a 90 degree day coming on thursday - ill monitor it again then and let you know

 

during the winter here my truck ran pretty cool too,don't think it was less than the t-stat setting,having been around engines over the years i kinda know an engine should be around 190-215+/- a couple and anything over 220 should be cause for concern,my truck was more like 224 [not 228] at it's high and that was after a long drive then sitting in a drive thru for awhile,it did come down once i started driving [215-212-210-208-206] usually it runs in the high 190's to 204-206,just trying to see if anything in my system isn't performing right,i guess when i get my new irgun [from ebay 13 bucks!!] i'll see if my rad temps are more than 10 degree from top to bottom,thanks whiskey,btw on short hops my truck doesn't even get to it's optemp

 

today it was 90 degrees out had AC on 3 and 4
drove for 2 hrs in nearly all stop and go or slow moving traffic
184 when cruising on freeway
187 minor slow and go freeway
190-195 city driving (lots of traffic)
210 going thru toll both que (toll was right after the city driving)
187 shortly after getting moving again on freeway

(I have a 180 tstat high flow installed btw)

 

wow,mine definitely doesn't run anywhere that cool,today it ran 201 up to 219 in airport traffic then came down 210 and then down to 206 so i'll see when i test the rad with infra red temp gun [when i get it]. once hot it doesn't come down to below 200,funny thing is that the truck runs great at those temps

 

I would be curious to see that if you had the same tstat as I, if you would see the same results b/c your differences are within a few degrees of mine and if you add 192 degree tstat into the equation vs a 180 degree tstat....
Granted I know its not that simple but its quite close to the diff in temps I see but offset by about 10 degrees

 

just out of curiosity where did you get your 180 stat,i got my oe from ab and i know i can walk in to any autoparts store but any suggestions would appreciate

 

got mine from Rockauto
ACDELCO 12TP1D {#19114385} (Premium) Professional Temperature: 180F; High Flow

 

hey whiskey,bought a 180 failsafe t-stat from autozone and put it in [took 4 tries!!! just to seat it properly] added distilled water [ran out of 50/50] been driving around at 190-195 after stops idling around 201-204,highway for 2 miles started at 204 went down to 201 so alot better but will know more soon,but absolutely worth trying,thanks