I have a 470ci BBM FE in a Cobra replica. I have Smith's gauges, and the oil temp doesn't come up to temp the way I think it should. The car has an oil cooler, but even with it taped off, the oil temp reads around 40C after 20 min or so. I've seen it as high as 60C, but I'd expect the oil temp to be at least as high as the water at steady state (the water gets to 80 and stays between 80 and 90C during operation). The oil temp gauge is mechanical. I'm wondering if it is a calibration issue, or if the oil is really only getting up to 40C?
What suggestions do you all have?