FYI, you should be running a 190-195 deg (maybe 192 deg nominal, I can't recall off the top of my head) thermostat in this motor. Note the the 'stat in a 4-cyl 2.6 is only 180 deg.

Both my old 2.8 rig and current 3.4 LS don't have much deflection upscale. If you're fully up to temp and somewhere up around 1/4 (or maybe a bit higher) it's probably 'normal'.

I do recall on my old 2.8 when a heater hose busted and the rig overheated badly, the temp gauge got all the way up to 1/2!! Most I ever saw it go to.

'90 Troop 3.4 LS
'89 Troop RS (Has Valve Issues, needs Counseling)
HI, I'm Ed and I'm a Trooper-holic!
Keep On Troopin'......