Temperature gauge

[Pete562]

The temperature gauge on my 1976 Vette is normally at 280 (give or take a bit), is this normal?

 

[1974vette]

my temp gauge too read a high temp...about 260 or so. i do believe that these old gauges could possibly be wrong, afterall, the car is almost 30 years old. i think normal operating temps are from 180-240 on these sharks. when i got my vette, it didnt have the air dam on it...but i put one on and put in a 160 degree t-stat and im running about 210 or so now. i'm sure if you wait a few minutes some one more experienced will show up and help you much more than i can.

 

[ArkShark]

I have headers on my 77....the temp gauge runs about 190F~195F.

280 sounds a bit hot.
This was discussed not too long ago.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50132

Check this link for possible problems..
http://community-2.webtv.net/MATTGRU/doc/index.html

 

[Bob Chadwick]

My 77 runs in the 180 - 200 range depending on the ambient temp.

Take the car to a sho. They should have an infrared device that they can point at the thermostat housing and tell you what the temperature actually is.

 

[vmrod]

Mine was reading a little high some time ago. It turns out that the radiator hose was lying right ontop the sending unit. (aftermarket parts of course) I loosened the radiator hose clamp and rotated the hose, which lifted it up off of the sending unit.

Maybe this is your prob too?

 

[brusso]

The temperature gauge on my 1976 Vette is normally at 280 (give or take a bit), is this normal?

Two hundred and what!!!!

Like Bob said, get someone to measure the temp from the t-stat housing for an accurate reading. I'm sure that you're not running at 280 deg.