Summer Water Temp Baseline?

Get familiar with where your car runs temperature wise. If you are not overheating, then consider it good. I can't recall seeing a stock gauge in a Mopar going past the halfway point unless there was a problem but I don't live in a hot climate.

A/C with automatic in TX? You're smart to be aware. Shroud is going to add insurance for sure. External trans cooler might be on your list too.

My 64 with a mildly built 225 and manual trans seems to run about 1/4 up the gauge. Stock radiator and 4 blade fan.