On my '82 Adventurewagen, which I no longer have, I had installed a VDO
Cylinder Head Temp gauge. The range was 0-600 degrees, and the needle
normally stayed around 350 degrees when fully warmed up. Load conditions
or ambient temps would affect this indication slightly, perhaps +/- 25
degrees.

The "sender", a specially-designed length of wire with a spark plug
adapter at the end, was not meant to be modified. Plus, I think it was
solid-core (vs. stranded), so too much flexing and manipulation could
break it.

You shouldn't be actually running as hot as 450 degrees in normal
operation, so something may be amiss, either your temp sender circuit,
gauge, or your engine is running way too lean.

Dan Schmitz
'87 Westfalia