1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Overheating?

I own a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and when I to travel 4 hours to get it, my mom and I started to see that the heat sensor (thermostat for cars) started getting really high, but my father doesn't think that it's the car overheating, it's the gauge that's screwed up. Is there any way that I can check to see if it's the car or the gauge?

I own a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe and when I to travel 4 hours to get it, my mom and I started to see that the heat sensor (thermostat for cars) started getting really high, but my father doesn't think that it's the car overheating, it's the gauge that's screwed up. Is there any way that I can check to see if it's the car or the gauge? You would have to buy a thermal temp gun and take the engines temperature near the temp sending unit. Needs to be around 200 degrees. Do I take the temperature after driving around town for a few minutes? You can use a infrared temp checker, they are getting pretty cheap now.

They use a laser and you can point it at the radiator and get a reading.

Or install the good old trusty mechanical temp gauge, just have to find a coolant port to screw it into.

Do I take the temperature after driving around town for a few minutes?

You can use a infrared temp checker, they are getting pretty cheap now.

They use a laser and you can point it at the radiator and get a reading.

Or install the good old trusty mechanical temp gauge, just have to find a coolant port to screw it into.