Ok here is the deal. I converted to an open cooling system using a radiator cap tee in the upper hose. I put in new heater lines as well. A new t stat and t stat.cover. Ok all is good let it idle in the driveway it never heated up past in between the quater and half marks which is around 190 im guessing. Well fast forward to today. Im doing highway driving along with some small mountain passes. The gauge is hanging right around the quarter mark doesnt much above or below it. I got put and check with my IR thermometer. the thighest redding I was getting was 300 from the header. The t stat houding was at 160 . The block was 170. Am I running too cool?

 

Could the Cooler temps be.caused by taking out.the heater.valve? Does that cause it to curculate all the time?