I've just finished ripping the thermostat out and testing it in a pan on the stove. It opens nice and wide...at 98 degrees! That explains a lot. It then slowly starts to close around 97 degrees to 88 degrees though this is without the spring on the back pushing on the block so it would probably close up around 95 in the car. I had to hold a lid down on the pan to build up pressure with steam and scalding water spitting everywhere just to get it to reliably open at all.
It has no markings on it indicating the operating temperature. Obviously a mistake or a dodgy part. I seem to remember when I bought it as a kit with the housing and seals, they forgot to actually include the 'stat and sent it on later. Probably just grabbed one randomly off the shelf.
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