Coolant temperature variance

Hey guys,
I've been running into some temperature variances lately and need help solving them. Here's what's going on: I noticed that my temp. gauge reads roughly 170F at stand still however, one of my buddies was using a thermo gun on the block itself and found the temp. to be between 140F and 150F depending on where he was reading. Is this normal? Should there be a 20-30F temp. variance between the coolant and say the intake manifold?
Thanks,
Keith

I've seen that much difference between coolant temp and different outside areas on the engine.
Don't worry, have fun.

That's good! I thought my temp gauge was faulty. I did not want to take that thing back out again...lol!

A temp gun doesn't read the temperature of the water on the inner side of the cast iron.