Smoke signal

A couple of questions for you Early guys. I have a 71 911S 2.2 all original. When I start up in the morning my altenator light comes on and stays on till I rev over 2k. Is this a warning to get it rebuilt. Next, I'm in the Morman 100 every weekday now, typicaly when there's a rabbit, (usually a guy in a turbo Eclipse with a "Fear this" sticker on his windshield) we cruise at 90-110 REALLY! while in formation your on the gas on off. Somtimes when I let up I get a small pop along with a puff of black smoke. What is this? The car runs great otherwise. It was just tuned up and passed it's emissions. Thanks for your help. DJ

FWIW, I can't say for sure if the alt light upon first startup is normal, but a lot of them do this and mine has always done it even immediately after an alternator replacement, and I have zero charing problems. If the light stays on, or glows while you're driving, you've got trouble.

The black smoke puff and pop may just be due to the sudden fuel cutoff, I normally wouldn't worry much unless you have significant, continuous smoke on decel.

I wish there were places around here where one could cruise at "happy happy" speeds. The usual where I live is the 2nd gear crawl!

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 08-04-2000).]

Turns out it was a bad plug wire. Thanks for the info though. As far as "happy happy speeds" today we had a new Impala in the pole position, he made 105, twice. My kind of guy. Anyone have any experience with Cooper tires? I've found some 195/60's, T rated for $45.00 each.