Land cruiser -- hot engine bay

I have a 1985 cruiser with a 3F motor.
The temperature gauge normally runs at about 1/4 of the scale
But ,
the engine bay is always hot , i think too hot , but do not know if this is normal
The gauge does not move if the car is idling etc.
The car is a petrol automatic and on long trips the gear change housing and the shift stick inside the car can get hot , sometimes to hot to have your leg constantly in contact , sometimes it does not get hot ???? . I am told this is the hot air from the engine bay passing through.
The transmission temperature light does not come on , it does at ignition ( so it must work ).
I feel the bay should be cooler , but what is the standard.
If I put the aircon on and direct air to the gear shift it cools down
Has anyone else had this problem and can it be fixed

Rod