electrical fault/ground fault/fuel starvation

[tom black]

I have two questions: 1. electrical fault effecting my gauge cluster, specifically the oil pressure is peg to the right while running, someone stated it may be a ground fault, which is common and most likely area is beneath the battery or thermostat...

Also, have intermittent fuel starvation while on a power curve, someone suggested the two barrell carburator was factory bench set at 30 degrees which is set too lean and GM subsequetly determined that 39-42 degress setting would resolve the problem, another suggested the fuel float...have changed the distributor cap, rotor, spark plug wires and timed to specs...help...tks.

[RABarrett]

Since you mention a dwell degrees reading on the carb, I assume you refer to Computer Command Control, or a computer controlled carb. 30 degrees, if not fixed there is fine for the system. Regardless of the dwell reading, the mixture will remain the same, the metering rod position will change. I will need more details regarding the "starvation" issue. What are you experiencing, and under what conditions? Re: the oil pressure gauge, the bad ground scenario is likely the culprit. You might try a new sender. Likely, the sender is defective, allowing no ground, therefore no current flow, therefore, the gauge "pegs high." Testing this unit requires some expertise. I can walk you through it, if you like. Ray

[tom black]

1. I was led to believe that the adjustment on the carburator is mechanical, requiring the removal of a plug in the interior lower half of the two barrel...once the plug was removed the adjustment screw could be accessed and adjusted in excess of the 30 degree setting at the factory. As to fuel starvation, when accerlerating or cruising on the freeway the engine will miss intermittently. I at first thought it was fuel blockage or the fuel pump but have ruled those out, it appears to occur most offen when accelerating, but again, intermittenly.

2. As to the gauges, it not only effects the fuel gauge but the temp gauge as well...also, when the radio is on and the LED is displayed, if I turn on the headlights, the LED dims substantially...tks. for your assistance. By the way, the engine is a 2.8, engine and transmission rebuilt approximately 25 thousand miles ago...