Water temp gauge in center.. what degrees temp ?

[Racer57]

70 Cuda with 383 4 speed, shaker hood

If the temp gauge is dead center, what temp would that be from the factory ? My mechanical gauge shows 190 degrees

Primarily curious how accurate my gauge is.

[Bullitt-]

I don't think the slow responding factory gauges were assigned a given temp for any particular mark, I will say that my car usually ran just a shade below the middle of the solid section and would creep up to a shade above the middle under more extreme conditions. Car only truly overheated once & it defiantly was above the solid middle area.       

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Mine is always below mid-point, but I have a 26" radiator with the AC removed, so no extra load on the system.

If your mechanical gauge tells you 190, that's great. Even up to 200 is fine.

[DocMel]

A common misconception is that anything above 190 is too hot,  200-220 is considered a good running temp

[Racer57]

I understand that 190 is ok, what I want to know is what degrees the center reading is suppose to be.

[brads70]

I understand that 190 is ok, what I want to know is what degrees the center reading is suppose to be.

If it helps....? mine runs in the middle of the gauge (1970 standard dash) at 190? I don't knowe if that's "stock" or not?