Hey guys i wanted to know what the normal operating temp is for 4.3L vortec?
my temp guage on the freeway says 210?? And 200 around town and on the trails, Is this about right?
Thanks!

Sounds right to me.

mine runs 208 - 210 always.

ditto 210 in my 93

Stock T stat is a 195 as far as I know. Mine ran around 200 on an average day, but if it was anywhere close to 90* my temp would be around 220. I wasn'ts very comfortable with that. The 4.3 likes to run cool from what I've found. I'm running an aluminum 2 row v8 radiator, 160 T stat, twin 3300 cfm E fans, and a bottle of water wetter. Even crawling in 100* weather my temp will barely hit 190. IMO every 4.3 should be running a 160 T stat, an efan, and water wetter if you're in a warm area

210 is normal

If your running the stock clutch fan it should be locked in at 220*, if it isnt then you need to replace it.

If you put a lower temp thermostat in one of the later model(96 and newer) 4.3l's expect your fuel mileage to take a complete shit unless it is tuned for it. I replaced the t-stat in my 2000 blazer and put some water wetter in it when i was fighting a overheating problem in 100* heat with the a/c on. Ended up being the fan clutch but anyways i dont know if the t-stat is partly stuck open or what but cruising down the road it only runs at like 180* or so and the fuel mileage has suffered noticeably. Luckily it isnt my DD anymore since it was straight axled so i havent bothered to replace it.