185 is not normal. It doesn't hurt mind you, but it is not normal.
Any chance the problem is in your gauge or sending unit itself? Perhaps you do not have a problem with the actual coolant.
You could try and pull the sending unit, and replace it with one of those cheapy mechanical gauges from Cdn tire or princess auto and see what reading you get.
Otherwise, you have a circulation problem. One possibility is your antifreeze is over-strength (should be 60/40 mix). You already changed your water pump, so that isn't the problem. And the pressure of the cooling system is to merely raise the boiling point, and does not really effect cooling and flow. But if the gauge is at fault, perhaps that is why the last owner removed the thermostat as an attempt to repair a perceived "overheating" condition.
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