The gauge actually has a provision to adjust the needle position and
sometimes new ones do need adjustment. T-stats can also be defective
even new. Get an IR gun and check the coolant temp at the t-stat
housing. If it is 185F and 200F things are good. Check at what temp the
fan turns on. Remember that the fan switch is at the outlet of the
radiator. By the time the fan turns on, the coolant leaving the engine
will be hotter as the return will be at ~180F. This is normal. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 11:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] running hot....ideas ? U PDATE running a 70�
t-st...

In a message dated 3/25/06 9:37:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET writes:

> Chris,
> You posted a problem and what you tried as a solution, sort of asking
a
> question and now you are grumping that you don't like our answers.
>
>

Dennis, i do appreciate your answers...you and Mark Drillock and
everyone
else who has added their input (i wish i could list you all)  i value
your
opinions highly..i didnt have a IR heat gun to check temps..   so if i
put a stock
t-stat in there and it still reads 3/4 then what next?   im not going to
bend
the needle in the gauge..  does the gauge sender in the t-stant housing
usually
go bad?

chris