Hi Brian, I recently changed my water pump and also changed the thermostat.
My indicator sits just a hair past the red light also.  I believe this to be
where it should be,it's improved my heat this winter and runs much better at
this temp.  Also of note; I've installed a toggle switch mounted under the
instrument pod that activates the cooling fan, it's nice to have control, no
watching the heat gauge in traffic waiting for the fan to kick in.
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Doss <BDOSS24046@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: March 27, 1999 2:06 PM
Subject: Thermostat change, indicator difference

> I just had some work done to my '88. Just for the heck of it, changed the
> thermostat. Now my indicator needle rides just above the red LED. Before
> thermostat change, it always hovered just below the red LED. The fan
hasn't
> been kicking on while driving, but I was curious, will changing the
thermostat
> affect the gauge reading like this? Where do your needles mostly hover?
>