my 88 has new tstat, waterpump, radiator etc. i got the heater core flushed out this week and the operating temp is about 160 or so....the 92 i just bought runs about the same, its the first mark on the temp gauge so between 100 and 210 i believe, i drove it 30 mins home the heat is on full blast and we stated warm but it wasnt sweating us out. soooo is that normal?

 

Verify it. Sometimes the dash gauge reads cooler than it actually is. Can be caused by a faulty coolant temp sending unit or a faulty dash gauge.

I use an infrared point and shoot thermometer pointed directly at the thermostat housing of a hot engine. Then you'll know for sure......don't want to be chasing a ghost here.