Ok, this has nothing to do with my Camaro, but it's a Chevy ('86 Half ton).

Ok, with the cooling issue. It only has idiot lights, no gauges. While driving at night, I can notice the light is slightly dim. Not fully lit, but dim. This tells me the engine is pretty warm, but not overheating. I also noticed, if I stop and idle, the light will go completely off. Step on the gas, it lights up dimly again. Is this normal? Any of you guys have this experience? It's all stock, clutch fan, shroud, etc.

Now with the timing. It's got a computerized Quadrajet and a 7 pin HEI module. I tried to check the timing via the instructions on the emissions sticker (disconnect vacuum, idle at 550RPM) and I read 45 degrees BTDC initial! That can't be! It starts great, runs great, no ping...am I doing something wrong? The sticker says I should have 4 BTDC...any ideas out there?

Thanks!

------------------
1969 Base Camaro
Vortec 355, Perf. RPM, Demon Carb., TH-400
All sheetmetal is NOS GM
See my NEW webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/compuboy007/

Is buying a relatively inexpensive gauge and sending unit out of the question? From what you describe, it doesn't sound like you are overheating. Sounds like an electrical problem on the idiot light to me. I don't think I'd be very comfortable owning a vehicle that didn't have at least a temp gauge.

Can't give any opinions on the timing issue. Sounds fishy to me too.

------------------
68 Coupe, 350 4-speed
Jim's Camaro Corner (http://www.personal.psu.edu/jxu109/)

Spames, I agree. I don't like having the idiot lights either. Soon, I will get a set of dash gauges that were equiped on some pickups and install those instead. It's only $50, so it's worth the price. That way I will know exactly what's going on.

On the timing issue again, I should note the engine is a 350 with a 8" balancer, and the correct timing tab is installed. It's really got me confused.

------------------
1969 Base Camaro
Vortec 355, Perf. RPM, Demon Carb., TH-400
All sheetmetal is NOS GM
See my NEW webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/compuboy007/