1996 C/K 1500 Temperature Gage/overheating?

========================== That sure sounds like a sticking t-stat. Check to make sure it is full of coolant also. When its dead cold pull the radiator cap and top it all the way up if its down at all. Then fill the bottle to the cold line. It sounds like the t-stat though. It is possible to get one out of the box that likes to hang up. I would try another one. Before installing drill about a 3/32 hole in the housing part of the stat, that will let it "bleed" a little before it opens. They already have a bleed hole in them but its so small you cant hardly even see it. GL