[C2] Removing the Needle from tachometer
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Removing the Needle from tachometer
I would like to replace the face on my tach. However, I can't get the needle off. Is there a trick to removing the needle without braking the shaft? If I wiggle the needle back and forth it will most likely brake the shaft tip off.
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woodsdesign (09-08-2017)
#4
Pro
No need for fancy tools. Like 65 Pro Vette said, just turn and gently pill. It will come off. Now putting it back on were it reads correct speed or RPM is a different matter.
#5
Safety Car
Thread Starter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWxZWLs_vgk
Google is your friend. Al W.
Google is your friend. Al W.
#7
To Remove:
Grasp the round part of the pointer between your thumb and forefinger. Turn the pointer counterclockwise while gently lifting and the pointer will come off. If the pointer and shaft assembly should turn freely together the speed cup is broken. Grip the shaft with pliers then follow the above removal procedure.
To Reinstall:
Install the pointer by placing it at about the 12 o'clock position on the shaft. Push down while turning the pointer counterclockwise to the 0 position. Increase pressure gradually while turning and the pointer will be locked to the shaft.
Grasp the round part of the pointer between your thumb and forefinger. Turn the pointer counterclockwise while gently lifting and the pointer will come off. If the pointer and shaft assembly should turn freely together the speed cup is broken. Grip the shaft with pliers then follow the above removal procedure.
To Reinstall:
Install the pointer by placing it at about the 12 o'clock position on the shaft. Push down while turning the pointer counterclockwise to the 0 position. Increase pressure gradually while turning and the pointer will be locked to the shaft.
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woodsdesign (09-09-2017)
#8
Safety Car
Be sure to inject some dielectric silicone lubricant between the shaft and the enclosing tube. This serves to dampen the needle's movement and after 60 years most tachs' dampening fluid is long gone. If your tach needle swings wildly, you need to do this.
Last edited by 65tripleblack; 09-09-2017 at 12:16 PM.
#10
Safety Car
No it isn't. Once you remove the needle, you'll see it. It's small in diameter. Less than 1/8" I would estimate. IIRC, it is about 3/32" shorter than the shaft. I made a tip for my tube of dielectric grease and shot some in. I can't say how much because the space between the shaft and tube is so small. You really have to squeeze the grease tube hard. It doesn't take much though, to dampen the motion of the shaft.
Best I can explain it. If I had a picture I would post it.
I had my gauges restored in 2002, but didn't know about this at the time, so I restored and assembled my cluster without doing this. After hearing about how the gauges were damped from the factory, I decided to try this about 5 years ago to calm down my wild tach needle. It works perfectly now. This video is "before". You'll have to trust me on the "after".
Best I can explain it. If I had a picture I would post it.
I had my gauges restored in 2002, but didn't know about this at the time, so I restored and assembled my cluster without doing this. After hearing about how the gauges were damped from the factory, I decided to try this about 5 years ago to calm down my wild tach needle. It works perfectly now. This video is "before". You'll have to trust me on the "after".
Last edited by 65tripleblack; 09-09-2017 at 05:46 PM.
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Markartx (11-02-2022)