Temp Gauge reading?

[guevara42]

Hey guys, just out of curiosity, can someone tell me what the temp range is on a standard gauge for a 66 coupe, 289ci. I don't have a numeric temp gauge, obviously, and was wondering what my temp is when the needle is close to the cold side, middle and hot side of the gauge. TIA.

 

[krash kendall]

Anywhere around the bottom end of the guage to the middle is going to be around 150 - 185. The upper half will probably be pushing from 185 - 225. The upper end of the guage will have the coolant coming out the overflow due to the low volume in the early radiators. I don't believe you can get to more than 195 - 205 before this happens.

Since I have one of these early cars (with a .060 over 302), I always carry water and make sure I can run the heater in summer.

EDIT: The guages are only a suggestion of what is really going on.