Well, it's been a while on this subject - shows how often I have time to mess with this car. Since the last post on this thread, I have dealt with a cooling problem and got it resolved with help from this forum(re-cored the radiator). My son got me a numbers matching correct Rochester 4MV carb and I installed that recently. Also a few other minor items. Also during the time away, I just recently replaced the battery.

I took it out for a spin this morning. It's idling a bit high so I need to adjust that. The alternator light never came on and while running down the road, the console amp gauge is reading 5 amps - one notch off of zero. Then while driving about 60mph I turn on the headlights and heater fan full. The gauge goes to zero - back to 5amps when I turn everything off.

So, what should that gauge be reading when your running down the road? SHould it go to zero under load like that?

 

You could put a clamp ammeter on the output wire of the alternator, if the meter shows high current, but the voltage stays low then there is an overload somewhere.

 

Okay, but can anyone tell me what the console amp gauge should read?

 

When running and battery is fully charged, the gauge should be at 0 or slightly on the + side. Right after starting, or when other loads are on the battery, the gauge will read heavier into the + side.
As long as the needle is on the + side, your charging system is working.