temp gauge accuracy

[dusterbd13]

im wondering just how accurate the older moonies temperature gauges were. i just did the cluster swap in my 89 (to full gauges from fuel/speedo only), using a junkyard cluster and new sending units.

going down the highway, its not even reading halfway on the gauge (210), but idling sunday it pegged 260. my electric fan is set to come on at 195, and it rarely comes on at idle, even though the gauge is reading north of 210 by a fair bit.

are these gauges notorious for being high? is there any way to confirm the accuracy of the gauge?
i was thinking about hooking my laptop up to the ALDL port to see what the computer is reading, but im unsure of what .bin and .ads to use in tunerpro.

Michael

 

[350VortecSSCT]

the gauges are accurate...if there good...Gauges flutter and move around, along with the gas tank, thats taken with a shot of grain(youll need it, drives me nuts) when ur gauges flutter like vibrating, time for a new one! But the gauge for the temperature, set your thermostat again, replace it if needed and use ur laptop for a read out

 

[jeff's88silverado]

they fairly accurate my temp hand sits at first line with a 180 thermostat but realisticly that first mark is really around 160, my oil press. bounces around really bad and speedo is 10mph to fast. but i plan on upgradeing to 93-94 cluster. because i personally dont like the moonies