Flickering Generator Idiot Light

Does your starter solenoid have a heat shield?
Did you check all 4 ends of the battery cables?
 
No and yes. It’s not a battery problem. A few days ago I did 45 minutes of intermittent cranking and came close to killing it when the car started. This problem began after fixing a big vacuum leak, before tune-up.
 
You mentioned the starter straining so that led me to electrical.
The next time you heat soak it remove the air cleaner and look down the carburetor throats for dripping gasoline.
You may need a heat shield between intake and carburetor.
Can you also check where the HEI BAT wire goes.
 
Interesting you mention dripping gas. It “feels” like the car floods easily in these circumstances and I smell gas with only a moderate amount of pumping. I’ve checked for fuel squirt but not drip. I’ll check if/when it happens again. I’ll also check on the wire and let you know.
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You may want to check that wire with the key off if it is hot.
 
What does yes mean, it is hot with the key off?
If so that doesnt seem like a good idea, lead to premature HEI module failure.
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Yes that is what I meant. I’ll change it to switched. Good article and it reminded me: the vacuum advance is connected to manifold vacuum, not ported. Always been that way in the year of ownership.
 
Ported was for emissions, better off with manifold.
 
Hopefully final update. In the end, the GEN light flickers lightly at idle in Park (830 RPM) and Drive (680 RPM). After looking at everything it’s apparent that the OEM alternator is the cause but the bearings have zero noise so I will keep an eye on the charging system.

I’ve taken the car out on two hot runs in the last two days and the engine started after each run after sitting 10 to 15 minutes for heat soak. I’m convinced until proven otherwise the problem is vapor lock and I am carrying a bottle of water on board to cool the fuel line and pump if/when it’s hard to start. Once proven I’ll take steps to address it. I’ve also learned that this engine is prone to flooding when hot and to keep my foot completely off the throttle when turning it over until it fires (3-4 seconds or so). So far that seems to be working. 🤞

Thanks again for everyone’s time and advice on the issues. melsg5, your breadth of knowledge is especially impressive. Thanks for your willing sharing!
 
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