Trying to sort out some swap cooling issues... Options

[aspen]

I've still got some cooling issues on the BEAMS.

Here's the deal, I've got a new radiator, new OEM thermostat, new hoses, new water pump and new temperature sensor. (I want this swap to run for quite a while).

Still have some cooling problems though where it'll run hot, and the temperature gauge will behave somewhat erratically. I hooked up OBD to it and the ECU reported around ~95C with the needle close to the red. Of note, I tested my 82C thermostat and it opened, but maybe a bit higher than 82C (it's not the most accurate thermostat in the world) but it still seemed maybe a bit strange?

I'm pretty confident the system is completely bled, and heat works. The top radiator hose gets hot but the bottom one less so (though, shouldn't the coolant going into the engine be pretty cold anyway?)

I ran the engine briefly with no thermostat and just water and it also got surprisingly close to operating temperature (I didn't drive it though) on a maybe 90 degree day.

Thoughts?