donbayers

Basically the orange part of the needle just broke off the hub of the tach needle.

Is there any way to deal with this without taking the engine gauge cluster out? Is there a way to get that gauge out without having to remove all the wiring to the cluster.

I don't want to do anything to the gauge but glue my needle back on

66jack

You'll have to Pull the gauge to fix it...thats the only way...

5thvet

If it were one of the lower instruments it is possible to remove the pod without removing the cluster but those top ones are impossible.

donbayers

Nice....

I read where you can insert long bolts in place of the screws and slide the entire cluster forward. If I unhook the speedo and tach would that give me enough room to get the tach out without disconnecting everything, wires and such?

5thvet

You would have to disconnect the oil pressure line too and since those bulb wires are so short, probably most of those too to give you enough room to work comfortably.

Bluestripe67

I don't think so. The double unit is large. The three cardboard tubes that are shields for high beam and warning lights will fall out and be hell to reinstall. Just pull the whole thing and you can do a better job. Dennis

856666

Don here is John Z's procedure to R&R the cluster.


http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...ster%20pt1.pdf

Phil

856666

Don here is John Z's procedure to R&R the cluster.


http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...ster%20pt1.pdf

I have never pulled a cluster. If you pull yours PM me on any short cuts.

Phil

toddalin

Mine did the same thing over a year ago, except the cone also fell off.

I have pulled the cluster in the past and it is a PITA, so eventually when I get time I'll bite the bullet and take it to Steve LuVisi to fix. Basically a full day's work if the gauge isn't to be rebuilt, but I can still see the needle post move with RPM, so a rebuild shouldn't be necessary.

Not a good idea to run without a tach. I over-revved the engine threw the belt and overheated the car in the dark of night. Luckily, it didn't seem to do any damage. Iron heads can be a blessing as I don't think aluminum would have fared so well.

Also a good time to fix that small leak at the oil pressure gauge.

Mike67nv

It may be intimidating if you’ve never pulled a cluster before, but it really isn’t that difficult. Follow JohnZ’s article, take your time and you’ll get a lot of satisfaction from doing it right.

I’ve pulled my cluster twice, once with the steering column in place and once with it removed. Everything is much easier with the column removed and the overall time isn’t much different. Pulling both also gives you the opportunity to freshen things up (re-paint) if your car shows normal wear and tear.

About your needle, you say the pointer broke off the hub. I’m not sure how that could happen unless the pointer came into contact with something or was previously damaged (Bubba). You can check with some of the speedo shops but I believe you will probably have to replace the entire needle. If the stem from the cup broke off inside the needle hub it’s a more difficult repair. Unless both the tach and speedo were working flawlessly, you might be better off sending the assembly out for refurbishment.

Good luck!

JohnZ

And here's the companion article describing how to re-install it:

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...ster%20pt2.pdf

Powershift

Don:

I can't believe that you revved that small block past 7000 RPM and broke the needle off. Miss a shift??

Just follow the advice and articles that JohnZ posted and you will be able to remove and repair nicely.

Just watch those Powershifts from now on. I know.

Larry

856666

Thank you John,

I did not know there was a Part 2

Phil

7691 ettev

I had to remove my cluster twice in 3 weeks.. Sure was much faster the second time around. Removing the seat and steering column was the only way to go.. I feel your pain...

donbayers

Ha!

That would have been a much better story. The tach started growling and the needle jumping wildly. It did it once before and I backed out the cable drive and I stopped. This time I was driving and did not stop soon enough.

donbayers

Thanks for all the posts and the articles. Will study. If I'm going to take it out might as well do everything. My trip and odometer don't work so it would be a good time for the whole thing. Might have to make it a winter project.

Drove it today and watched my imaginary needle. Actually I see the tail on the other side and then can project the missing side in my mind