temp difference from t-stat

Why isn't your bypass hose hooked up? I can see a loop from the water pump connection to the water pump heater hose connection and a plug in the intake manifold water passage. The purpose of the bypass hose is to allow coolant to circulate in the block until the engine has warmed up enough for the thermostat to open. The way things are now the thermostat never has a chance to fully open and stay open and the coolant in the block is going to be overheated. Pull that plug in the manifold that is just to the left of the top left corner of your temp gun in the first picture, replace it with the proper fitting, and connect the bypass hose from the large nipple on the water pump to the new fitting. While you're doing that you will need to pull out another plug in the manifold water passage and install another fitting so you can loop the heater hose properly. Try NAPA for the fittings, you can use the plugs for thread size...