I second trying to find the cause. A digital thermometer will tell you more, I bought mine for $12 from Harbour Freight china shop, point it at cylinder head and see what actual temp it

Sometime gauge reads towards Hot while engine is not actually running hot

But most often this caused by the radiator or thermostat and not by the engine (head gasket/timing/water pump can be a problem, but is less likely). You can test the radiator and thermostat for no cost. See our tech article: Temperature Tests