My 88 f150 302, ran around the N and the O, after changing the T-stat, radiator and radiator hoses. Now I chanted the water pump and it barely is in the normal zone. Is it running cold, or do I just have a proper cooling system now? I have the biggest radiator that Rockauto sold for it. T-stat had been working before the water pump got changed.

 

The gauge isn't very specific with temps, but all three of my trucks stay below the 'N" during normal driving conditions. But if you really want to know if it is running cold, you can use an infrared thermometer to check temps at the thermostat housing.

 

My '94 hardly ever moves the needle on the temp gauge unless I am doing a long highway drive. It's my understanding that old Fords typically do this and it's not really something to be all that concerned about unless you live in a hot climate. (I live in Minnesota so it's definitely not a hot climate lol) This is just my uneducated opinion though so do not take my words as the gospel truth.

 

In the winter/colder months, mine also runs under the N, but now that it is heating up a bit, I see it up around the M, but not too surprised about that.

 

It’s going between the N and the beginning of the normal area. I messed with the wire and it went back by the N but I’m not sure where the bad connection is because I shook the wires by the temp sensor and by the firewall no luck it didn’t go back where it was so I gotta pop the wires out of the loom. But it’s getting hotter to the 100 degree weather so I’d prefer it work. But I’m not worried about it because I’ve redone the cooling system and a bigger radiator.

 

Wouldn't get too concerned about this, found mine to be notoriously inaccurate as far as an absolute position.

Changing the temp sensor, cleaning the crud off the instrument panel flexible circuit when changing out the panel lamps, or even beating stoutly on the dash would cause the gauge to shift and read 'normal' in a different position.

Consider memorizing where it usually sits when things are good, then up the investigative mode if should start running at higher levels.