Oil temp gauge is in, Whats the norm. temp range? Options

[Socalandy]

So I got my oil temp gauge installed and took it for a test spin. It's a little over 90 deg. out and after an hour cruise it was hovering around 220 with 260 being the next temp number on the gauge. What the normal range and where does the danger zone begin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I've read 200 deg. at a minimum to burn condensation so I think I'm looking good.

I meant the oil temp (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[ArtechnikA]

So I got my oil temp gauge installed and took it for a test spin. It's a little over 90 deg. out and after an hour cruise it was hovering around 220 with 260 being the next temp number on the gauge.

Where is the sender? Temp is essentially meaningless without knowing what you're measuring... Did you calibrate the sender and guage assembly in boiling water before installing it? 220ºF sounds hot for just driving around, but not very alarmingly so. But I get alarmed at 230º so you need to verify your calibration and understand what you're actually measuring. Is this a dipstick sender? Taco plate? Something else?

I've read 200 deg. at a minimum to burn condensation so I think I'm looking good.

Sorry - myth. Water will evaporate just fine at room temperature _if_ it is exposed to air. Oil thrashing around is exposed to lots of air. That said, I like 205-210º as an operating temp, especially with good oil (and why would you not use good oil?) but some like to see less. Water _will_ boil out of the oil over 212ºF whether or not it's being thrashed hard - which means your breathers better be able to handle the boiloff steam.