how much does your temp guage move?

[Kenwood]

I just bought an 89 Ranger with the 2.9 and a 5 speed. It is bone stock inside and out. I have noticed that even when fully warmed up the temp guage moves up very little. An old girlfriend of mine had an 89 mustang with a 2.3 and hers was always the same way. I have never owned a Ford myself so know very little but this seems to be the way they are. Is this a cause for any concern or is it normal? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jspafford]

The factory guages suck. Pull the sender out and put in a manual guage. 2.9L's are known to crack heads when overheated. A mechanical guage is cheap insurance.

 

[88ranger]

i just bought a mechanical gauge.. where is the sending unit.. i see the two lines going into the radiator is it one of them?