Does the stock 2jzge run a little hotter than the 1uz?

Have had an SC300 for about a week runs very smooth. It's about 80 degrees on average this week.

My temp gauge seems be hovering juuuust a smidge above 1/2 which seems a little high to me. Turn heat on thinking it should bump down a tad and doesn't. My next thought is to check thermostat and possible air in the cooling system as I know this is common in this straight 6. Question is am I being paranoid or is this normal operating temp?

 

Maybe we're both paranoid. Does yours leak oil? My SC400 runs at almost the line above the middle, whereas my other SC400 runs directly over the lower line beneath the middle. Could be building up dirt and sludge...

 

SC400slide...no oil leaks.

I checked the overflow reservoir and the coolant looks super dirty. Most likely needs a flush!