Proper direction of a thermostat on an M

I should have taken some pics but I didn't so I'm borrowing some off the net that I found that are somewhat similar.

In that pic the thermostat on the right is somewhat similar to the one on the M except there is a bit longer piece on the bottom. The pointed end should be pointing down toward the engine block and the other end with the sensor should be pointing up to the radiator? It looked to be the only way to put it in but now I'm having 2nd thoughts and I might be wrong.

The only other thing I can think of is that the CaseIH dealership sold me a 165 degree thermostat and that might be a bit too cool for the gauge. After running it for about 1/2 hour mostly on high idle the temp gauge got up to between the C and the O in "COLD" on the gauge. I thought it would get right to the line between the "COLD" and "RUN".

Oh well, if you can make any sense of this post please let me know if I put the thermostat in right or wrong.

Also I was thankful for the posts on this site talking about using grease to set the gasket. I used a very thin layer at first and it leaked to I put a much thicker layer on the 2nd time and no more leaks.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Nathan

1 - It appears you installed your new t'stat correctly. You can quit worrying about that!

2 - As Bob suggests below, unless you're working the engine (or unless the outside air temp is approaching 100 deg...) it'll never heat up to the "RUN" range - even running on high idle. Reason: There's a passage cast in the t'stat housing that bypasses enough coolant around the t'stat to keep the engine cool even with a good t'stat installed.

3 - The OEM style temp gages are not exactly precision instruments - they tend to read low as they age/wear out. To find out if your's is reading low, remove the bulb and stick it in a container of boiling water for a minute or so. If it's in calibration the hand will move up near the top of the RUN range.

Just to make sure we are all on the same page, I installed my thermostat opposite of the picture with the pointed end down.

Old and Bob say I put it in wrong and you are saying I put it in right. The one I replaced had to have been in there for a LONG time and I can't imagine that it would have been set to make it overheat and never put in correctly if it was causing any problems.

Since it is copper or brass will transfer the heat pretty well I guess maybe it doesn't really matter?

Anyway t'stat orientation does matter! The t'stat sensor element - the brass button-like thing on the spring side of the 'stat (and is usually stamped with the opening temperature) - MUST be facing the engine side for the t'stat to work. Heat conduction thru the 'stat's brass parts is simply too slow if it's installed backward - the engine will overheat long before the 'stat begins to open.

Note: If you used a new gasket when you installed the new 'stat it should OK to reuse after you flip the 'stat.

The engine should heat up with the thermostat in either position. It will OVERHEAT with the copper unit facing the radiator.

If you were not WORKING your engine, that's why it didn't heat up, or OVERHEAT, in this case.

There was a thermostat in the housing and it was in there the same way I placed the new one. Pointy end down.

Should I pull it back out and put it in the other way? While I'm at it should I switch it out for a 180 degree thermostat?

Do I need to buy a new gasket?

Thanks, Nathan