what should engine temp be?

This didn't bother me till I read a post of a truck running 210 to 215 degrees, and replies say that is high. Mine runs 200 to 205 (estimating the 205 part because of the guage, the needle is a little above 200, touching the last zero. Isn't my oem thermo 195 degrees? If so Is +10 to 15 too high? My truck is a '97 dodge Ram 2500HD, 4x4, 360 v8, who I affectionately call big John.

I've seen the guage of an American truck, and center is 200. My Canadian gauge says 95, which is celcius.

200 center is normal. The boiling point of water is 212, but antifreeze can hold a higher boiling point, so it raises that number, but 210-215 is still pretty warm. If you're running 200 or a little better, I wouldn't be worried. My truck creeps above 95 sometimes, it doesn't bother me. As long as that needle stays away from the red, I'm comfy!

if you're running that temp in Canada, and I'm running the same in Mississippi, where it was 87 deg F, Saturday, March 20, maybe I'm good to go. thought so, like you I'm comfy as long as she stays well away from red.