Rat repair.

[swamp rat]

Well, the gas gauge works!, first pic is about 6.5 gallons, the next pic is about a 15 mile drive with another 10 gallons added.

I will add the filler didn't burp once when at the station, pump handle fully depressed, works for me!.

I bit of a problem on the way home it started idling rough so i started popping it in neutral at the stops, got it home and put a rock in front of the tire, fired it up and put it in gear, raised the idle about 100 rpm, then started readjusting the air fuel screws.

I noted there is a slight howling that i think is from the alternator when the tranny is in park, the sound disappeared when shifted to drive, it seemed to idle better when it wasn't howling. The second attempt when i was adjusting the carb with it in drive the whine was gone, then all the sudden the whine came back and the idle dropped about 150-200 rpm (by ear)

Now i'm a bit baffled as to what the problem is, I cant imagine the alternator causing the idle to drop, thinking back every time i welded on the truck i disconnected the battery negative but left the alternator wires on, is it possible i could have fried a diode? but how would that slow the idle suddenly? The battery gauge is reading good but i haven't had a chance to grab a multi meter to check battery charge (13.8-14.2)

Any ideas?