Is it normal for this type of gauge to be reading at around 170 degrees when it hasn't even been installed? Or should it be at 0? Just got it in the mail and am a bit puzzled. Oh yeah its an Autometer.

whoops never mind, found out its electric and its normal. :o

Hook it up, it will re-zero once it has power and is hooked up to the sensor.

...yeah....no such animal as a 'mechanical' EGT gauge....;)