What is normal operating temperature, and how long does it take for the gauge to register a heated up motor. Reason I ask is that I took the 83 300D for its first over 2 mile drive since I got it about 2 weeks ago (been fixing small stuff)

Anyway, car runs great and the heater started blowing warm air after about a mile (45 degree ambient temp) Anyway, after about an 8 mile drive at highway speeds, the needle only went up to about 60 C (halfway between the 40 and 80 mark). Is this normal? Had decent heat, so.....

Once I get to drive it further on the highway, what is a normal temp reading?

Oil pressure stays pegged at 3 bar while driving, and drops to about 2 when idling. Jumps back up ot 3 bar as soon as you touch the accelerator. I believe this is normal.

Glenn

Your operating temp should be between 80 and 90C. It should only take a few miles to get it up to that temp, assuming ambient temps aren't down around freezing. Your thermostat might be in need of replacement if your engine temp never get above 60C.

Yup, your oil pressure sounds normal. It should be pegged anytime you have your foot and the petal or when the engine is cold. It will drop to 1.5 or 2 when it's warm and at idle. If it ever drops from being pegged while the you have your foot on the petal pull over immediately. And check your oil.

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Before yanking the Thermostat check your actual Coolant temp with a Meat or Candy Thermometer or one of that infared no Contact Thermometers. Sometmes the Gauge Sending Unit or the Gauge itself is not workin corrrectly.
There most likely a test to measure the resistance of the Gauge Sending Unit but you still need to know what the actual temp is.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel