Two days ago I replaced the big coolant pipe that runs along the LH side of
the engine (from pump to thermostat area) since it had rust bubbles
happening.  Put on a nice shiny stainless steel one from Frank Condelli (
http://www.frankcondelli.com/staging1/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=61_93_95&product_id=367).
   At the same time I put in a new thermostat rated for 87 degrees C,
though I'm not sure why -- guess I was tired of a lousy heater.

Yesterday I did a 100 mile journey and the temp gauge stayed around the 3/4
to 7/8 position, maybe a needle's width from the high end of the gauge.
This seems high, from what I've read here.  I'm wondering whether I've bled
all the air out of the cooling system and it is running inefficiently.  I
lost about a gallon of coolant in replacing the pipe and think I've
replaced about that much.  I also topped up the reservoir a couple times
after warming up the engine.  This morning (day after my journey), the
reservoir was down a couple of inches so I've topped it up again.

But I've read here about raising the front of the vehicle and removing a
bleeder cap on the rad.  Should I do that and add coolant there?

Thanks, Rick