[UKjohnnycobra]

Thanks for the inputs, guys.

FWB: I dont have a shroud. I'll post some pics later so you can see. Because its a fairly uncommon car, if a shroud is needed I'll have to make one. The shroud would force air entering the nose through the rad, so its like a cone that fits in front of the radiator, right?
Elmariachi: I have an IR thermometer. Ill check the delta between the top hose and bottom. If I remember, when I looked at this before, it was about a 20F difference (seems low to you?) but I'll confirm.
Marco: thats exactly what I see! let me know how it goes (also, my guages are all in deg C but i convert them for the discussion)
Oldog: i dont think its the gauge because it runs at the right temp when the car is driving. Also it should read higher than the stat, no? Once the stat is open by definition the temperature is 160F or greater.