flathead engine temps?

[derek costello]

I have a rebuilt '52merc with 60thou rebore and stock heads, dual 94s, pcv....
new alum rad, 16" electric fan..............but..........

with the engine running for 20 minutes the gage says 190f the oil press says
60psi.. The coolent level is about 1/2" above the rad core.

When I shoot the infrared temp meter at the top hoses it reads 167f ?
When I shoot the bottom hoses it reads 185f ?

If the water flow is down through the rad, shouldn't it be cooler at the bottom hoses ? The engine doesn't overheat and these readings seem constant.

Am I thinking that the flow is backwards or just stupid??