RE: When do I chit-can the thermometer?
Temps vary quite a bit from what I have noticed.
Run what makes your engine run best....My Collari ran best about 325* but got as high as 533*F by neglect once..... So hot it melted the aluminum header to the block and the springs melted through the brace.
Be sure its smokin...If you feel its running to hot try a cooling head or maybe even higher content nitro...that will make it run cooler.
CS