I replaced the water pump, several hoses and thermostat on my '85 TD, I also pulled the radiator and cleaned the fins.

The new thermostat was defective and caused the engine to get too hot so I removed it until I get a new one. So I am running without a thermostat. I took a drive to Cincinnati yesterday and my temp gauge got as high as 90 but at the end of the day it settled at about 60. It is full of antifreeze and I get similar high readings driving around town.

So is it normal on a hot humid day for a 617 to run 80 or so degrees without a thermostat?

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D