ok so i moved the temp sender from the intake manifold to the head . with no change on the gauge readings. when I removed the sender from the intake i used a meat thermometer to get a reading from the coolant directly touching the sender. the temp was 180 degrees.

So Im thinking this has to be a sender issue BUTTTTTT. Like I said before the EZ EFI system ( not currently installed ) shares nothing with the wiring, sender or gauge installed in the car it has its own temp sender and wiring and reads on its own hand held screen. How could they both be giving incorrect readings??

 

This might help:
The higher the temp., the lower the resistance from the sendor. With another person, you could short the sensor lead to ground to see if it will peg the gauge needle. Though, putting some resistor in there would keep things a little more on the tame side. Say...100 ohms.

Here is something I saved from another thread. It has all the values of resistance at various temps for three different brands of sendors. Your could also heat yours up in some water on the stove and see if the resistance is close to the listings...

quote: Gauge normally reads 1 tick above 1/4 scale with the engine operating around 180 degrees, thats just how the originals work.

Heres some resistance values for three senders 6 dollar TU5 Wells sender from Autozone, 25 dollar "correctly calibrated" Lectric Limited model 01513321, and an original GM 1513321 sender (for a Pontiac Firebird - one with the slide on connector- Camaros use a 1513462 with a screw on lug).

80 degrees: Wells at 650 ohms, LL at 573 ohms, GM at 549
90 degrees: Wells at 526 ohms, LL at 445 ohms, GM at 524
100 degrees: Wells at 429 ohms, LL at 365 ohms, GM at 409
110 degrees: Wells at 328 ohms, LL at 266 ohms, GM at 365
120 degrees: Wells at 283 ohms, LL at 227 ohms, GM at 323
130 degrees: Wells at 250 ohms, LL at 200 ohms, GM at 272
140 degrees: Wells at 216 ohms, LL at 170 ohms, GM at 227
150 degrees: Wells at 198 ohms, LL at 155 ohms, GM at 195
160 degrees: Wells at 173 ohms, LL at 133 ohms, GM at 175
170 degrees: Wells at 157 ohms, LL at 119 ohms, GM at 157
180 degrees: Wells at 135 ohms, LL at 101 ohms, GM at 140
190 degrees: Wells at 120 ohms, LL at 89 ohms, GM at 125
200 degrees: Wells at 109 ohms, LL at 79 ohms, GM at 109
212 degrees: Wells at 104 ohms, LL at 75 ohms, GM at 102

 

I've never had issues with Teflon tape. It's hard to imagine something as soft as Teflon tape not displacing under the tension of a tight fitting. I've read people's concerns about it, but can't imagine anyone using that much Teflon tape to create resistance.
And speaking of grounds; do you have a good ground to the block, and the body?