CUDASCOTT,
This could be as simple as a bad ground connection. Check your ground wire from the battery to the block. Clean the ground wire where is connects to the block, and the surface of the block, reconnect.
If you are still using the original amp guage, I would highly recommend that you bi-pass it and use a standard volts guage. The original amp guages are known to burn up and cause electrical fires.
With your car running at about 2500 rpms, you should see anywhere from 14 to 14.5 volts. If you would like directions for bi-passing the original amp guage, let me know here and I'll post the information. Also after you have checked to see if you have 14 to 14.5 volts, turn the car off and reach your hand behind the dash and feel the back of the amp guage, if it HOT to touch, then it's time to replace it or bi-pass it.