does any one have any thoughts/knowledge/experience pertaining to the installation of a true temperature gauge (one with actual degree measurements) as opposed to the stock one in the car?
Temp gauge Sure, you can install an accurate external temp gauge. I have the VDO Vision series installed in mine (nice matching design). I have a simple VDO temp pickup off the oil drain bolt - works nicely. Have a matching oil pressure gauge too - via a VDO adapter off the stock pickup next to the dizzy. Other's have installed a temp and/or pressure pickup via an extension adapter for the oil filter. Tom