Re: "Normal Operating Range" for Engine Temp?

Ok, what I am looking for is this...
My heli produces allot of smoke.
I'd like to lean it a bit and get less smoke & more power.
However, I don't want to cook the dang thing in the process.
Looking for a good temp range to keep her in.
I have reduced my Nitro content from 30% to 15%.
This should keep her cooler as well.

My opinon on this is:
Temp gauge does some things, and doesnt do some other things.

Temp values are not read as absolute values they are read as values of
scale to what your heli runs at best in mixtures.

In other words you need to know other than by temp guage what is too
cool, feeling the under plate of the engine while it is idling (not
turned off) will tell you if its too hot.

As you lean off and feel the temp also note the temp gauge, as it gets
warmer and leaner note the rate the gauge rises for each click in.
At the point of lean running the scale will start to increase rapidly
from hot to too hot in one click.
Once you have the engine operating at the correct mixtures back from
that and flying well and handling, then note the temp on the guage,
this now your indicator of how far off the temp is to what it should
be for best mixtures for your heli.

Again it is not an absolute test or values, it is and indicator of
change from the correct mixtures.
No point in telling you what mine runs at its of no use to you.
.
Temp guage saves bending down and fingering it to see, can have a peek
in hover at the gauge, also check for peak value before shutting off
to make sure it hasnt got too hot in the air away from you for some
reason (leaned off)
I let it idle high after landing while the rotors run down and have a
look at peak, low idle or shut off will ruin your peak reading as it
heats up for a period.
It also ensure the motor never goes over temp, half a min of highish
idle lets it cool down to well under before shut off so it doesnt rise
over peak ever and the meter holds true value to look at too.

I want my helicam motor to last me and it caries a fair load and runs
close to lean to do it and reduce vibes..
Id rather not give it anymore heat than it gets running.

What would be the normal operating range for an OS .50?

Looking for a temp range so I can monitor it.