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The tachometer on my 62 C1 needs to be repaired as it no longer works.
I'm considering switching to an electronic instrument and looking to hear from people who have experience with doing the same. Does it work well and will it last ? I'm pretty sure it's made in China or the like. I don't really care about the appearance of originality but I'll likely take the cable out of the sheath and cut it off inside the firewall just to keep dirt from getting inside the drive on my newly rebuilt distributor.
I thought it strange that the supplier I'm considering has a 30% restocking charge if the part gets returned.
I would recommend fixing the current tach or tach drive, whatever is rendering non-functional. It will look better and the integrity of the car will remain intact. Installing downgraded Chinese parts in these cars is never an upgrade or improvement. My opinion, since you asked.
Thanks for the reply/opinion. That's why I asked
I'm quite sure its the instrument itself as the tach drive is brand new and I made sure it rotated the new cable before I went under the dash to attach the cable to the instrument.
I can get the instrument rebuilt for around 1/2 the cost of an electronic replacement and I already have a new drive and cable but I'm just interested in others opinions and experiences
If I was going to do this, i would contact an instrument restoration place and have them install new electronic tach guts in the original tach housing.
I've done this conversion on both C1 and c2 cars (65-67 easy, 63-64 are a royal pain due to modifications required)....
It's really not that hard and the only issue that I have found is in the calibration of the movement prior to installation.
The calibration never seems to be correct but that's an easy fix for me by just putting it on our signal generator and dialing it in. For you, you may have to power up the movement with another tach reading source (a dwell meter) and make the readings match.
The conversion board has a potientiometer on it for adjusting the calibration. If you have other questions email me at Service@Willcoxcorvette.com I'd be happy to help you.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 13, 2020 at 01:19 PM.
A less expensive way to having an electronic tach is to buy a conversion kit many vendors sell- most price it at $160 (Zip & Corvette Central) Having a shop do this will cost you nearly double that.
You calibrate it with either a signal generator or you can use a timing light if it has an RPM setting.
I ordered one this week and will post a review on it but it will take a few weeks as I sent my other gauges out for restoration.
I have nothing against electronic/solid state conversions (re: my voltage regulator conversion thread), but, I ran with my 61's mechanical tach for nearly a decade as did the owner before me and I guess the new owner is still using it....
Not sure how long the cable drive was gone from my 59. The SW is a vintage ~1963 model.
I purchased an electronic from Corvette Specialties since I didn’t have the generator drive, cable, or tachometer to begin with. I don’t have it connected yet, but should get it soon.
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I learned that the shop I'm working at has a relationship with a place that does repair and restoration of vintage sports car gauges. They can repair my existing instruments or convert them to electronic. Being that I have new drive and cable already I'm going to have the existing tach repaired. "As long as I'm there" I'll send the working speedometer to be inspected and cleaned as well
Thanks for the input
Last edited by Chummy85623; Feb 15, 2020 at 07:46 AM.
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I learned that the shop I'm working at has a relationship with a place that does repair and restoration of vintage sports car gauges. They can repair my existing instruments or convert them to electronic. Being that I have new drive and cable already I'm going to have the existing tach repaired. "As long as I'm there" I'll send the working speedometer to be inspected and cleaned as well
Thanks for the input
I’ve read threads about full body-off restorations occurring with less disassembly. Whatever you call it, “as long as I’m there...”, “while I’m at it...”, etc. can get costly with both time and money.
You’ve been warned.
But if it happens, be sure to post plenty of pictures.
I'm prob the biggest fan of electronic conversions of problematic vintage parts, voltage regulators, tube radios, mechanical dash clocks, etc...
But the tachometer is one of the most reliable indicators on these cars...
My 61 tach ran for a decade after I bought the car and no telling how long before that....I had it calibrated (not rebuilt) when I had the dash out for an interior redo and stuck it back in and I'm sure the new owner hasn't had to mess with it.
. Being that I have new drive and cable already I'm going to have the existing tach repaired. "As long as I'm there" I'll send the working speedometer to be inspected and cleaned as well
Thanks for the input
The most dangerous words ever uttered in regards to a project.
The tach on my '60 wasn't working, so I removed the cluster to have it rebuilt.
As long as I was in there, I had the speedometer rebuilt too.
As long as I was in there, I decided to replace the cracked dash pad, which required removing the windshield.
As long as I was in there, I disassembled the windshield assembly, bought dated-coded glass, new rubber, had the uprights plated, and polished the stainless
As long as I was in there, I touched up the paint on the cluster housing and did some cosmetic work on the "Corvette" dash insert.
As long as I was in there, I had the clock converted to electronic and painted the clock/radio console area.
As long as I was in there, I also replaced the carpet, fixed the turn signal switch, painted the steering column and steering bell.
And you know what? When I was finished, the tach worked!
In case anyone is interested in a do-it-yourself method of converting a C1 tachometer to electronic, here is a webpage that I created to show how I did it. It is not very detailed, but perhaps it will give you some ideas. http://www.carols62.com/tachometer/
Actually the windshield glass is in need of replacement, the dash pad could be done and the car needs rewiring ...... LOL
But those are tasks that will live to fight another day.
I work in a shop that restores vintage sports cars so I see it every day. As long as I can start it, drive it and stop it reliably I'm OK with doing things on a schedule as time and resources allow
Actually the windshield glass is in need of replacement, the dash pad could be done and the car needs rewiring ...... LOL
But those are tasks that will live to fight another day.
I work in a shop that restores vintage sports cars so I see it every day. As long as I can start it, drive it and stop it reliably I'm OK with doing things on a schedule as time and resources allow
Although I have discovered the root cause for scope creep (for me any way) is this forum. I have fixed or replaced things on this car that I never knew existed, and no one will ever see. Not complaining though, I am thankful for the resources.
Thanks for the reply/opinion. That's why I asked
I'm quite sure its the instrument itself as the tach drive is brand new and I made sure it rotated the new cable before I went under the dash to attach the cable to the instrument.
I can get the instrument rebuilt for around 1/2 the cost of an electronic replacement and I already have a new drive and cable but I'm just interested in others opinions and experiences
Back in Feb you posted this and most folks suggested repairing the original tach which I too agree with. About the only advantage I see with an electric conversion is the elimination of the cable side back to drive gear issues that can crop up; but, seems checking cables and gears and lubing the cable or replacing it is well within the skill set of most owners. Suspect if you cannot fix a nonworking mechanical tach you surely won't be able to fix a future nonworking electric tach either. So, I just don't see the real benefit of the electric unit when a gauge repair shop can easily fix and calibrate the original unit. Keep in mind that Frankie pointed out the dependability of the original tach design which goes back to the early 40's. The speedometer is nearly identical internally and just as simple to repair for a reputable gauge repair facility to clean/repair and most importantly calibrate.
Last edited by tgtexas02; Feb 15, 2020 at 12:28 PM.
I'm having the original tachometer and speedometer repaired
Excellent. You have the same philosophy I do (I am an ex-mechanic): fix the car as you keep driving it, but don't tear it all apart and make it inoperable. I recently rebuilt the engine and trans in my '61, and the car was down for 4 months.....about 2 times longer than planned. Jim Lockwood explains very well why I am NOT going to fix my broken speedometer any time soon.....at least not yet. Everything else works, and I don't want to fall for any 'while I was there's" !!
Electronic Tachometer
Whatever you call it, “as long as I’m there...”, “while I’m at it...”, etc. can get costly with both time and money.
