1969 FJ40 Temp gauge starts east of H, then barely moves W of H (1 Viewer)

[JKSFJ40]

My 1969 FJ40 has the stock temp sending unit. Cold the temp gauge is all the way to the right of H. Once the truck warms up it is slightly left of H. It is clipped to the top of the sending unit. I’ve cleaned the contacts to the gauge.
Is this normal? Sending unit bad or needs to be removed and cleaned or calibrated? Bad gauge?
The sending unit is on there tight. It’s going to take some work to get it off.

 

[65swb45]

The gauge should rest on the H when the key is off, drop slowly to the C when turned on, then climb while driving. Your gauge has been shorted.