Tach cable adapter
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
Tach cable adapter
Has anyone used one of those 90 degree adapters on their distributor to attach their tach cable? I was wondering how well they work, because after installing my rebuilt distributor, there is not way that the cable will hook up without some adapter help. I have also seen cable extensions, cannot remember where, but would probably try that first if I can remember where I saw the stupid thing. I know there is a way to reclock your distributor to get it to point in such a fashion as to allow the cable to attach, but I am unclear whether that would work for a '72 350, or how difficult that is to do. I read the instuctions but still am unsure............Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,353
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
I bought one, but found out I didn't need it. I installed a HEI with a built in mechanical tach output and installed it on my ZZ4. I installed the HEI just like it was supposed to be installed - with the #1 and #8 terminals aligned in a straight line 90 degees to the center line of the engine, and the HEI's tach drive output was in perfect alignment.
As for a stock distributor (or any distributor), you can clock it in any position and that should help getting the tach output to line up. But anyhow, getting one just so that it might make your job easier is a good way to go.
As for a stock distributor (or any distributor), you can clock it in any position and that should help getting the tach output to line up. But anyhow, getting one just so that it might make your job easier is a good way to go.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
You do not need a 90 degree adapter. If you clock the dist in the correct position the stock cable will work. Just pull your dist and put it back in the correct way. It is about a 5 minute job to do it correctly.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
But something inside the distributor's bottom gear must line up with something inside the engine so how do you get the distributor reclocked any other way than 180 degrees from the 'right' way, which would get you nowhere; looks like there are only two different orientations: the way I have it and 180 degrees from the way I have it. I am missing something here and undoubtedly will feel like a complete moron when it finally sinks in. I just wish it would..........LOL
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 11
From: Methuen Ma
Has anyone used one of those 90 degree adapters on their distributor to attach their tach cable? I was wondering how well they work, because after installing my rebuilt distributor, there is not way that the cable will hook up without some adapter help. I have also seen cable extensions, cannot remember where, but would probably try that first if I can remember where I saw the stupid thing. I know there is a way to reclock your distributor to get it to point in such a fashion as to allow the cable to attach, but I am unclear whether that would work for a '72 350, or how difficult that is to do. I read the instuctions but still am unsure............Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 222
Likes: 3
From: Campbell CA
But something inside the distributor's bottom gear must line up with something inside the engine so how do you get the distributor reclocked any other way than 180 degrees from the 'right' way, which would get you nowhere; looks like there are only two different orientations: the way I have it and 180 degrees from the way I have it. I am missing something here and undoubtedly will feel like a complete moron when it finally sinks in. I just wish it would..........LOL
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater Florida
If you still have the stock gear on the bottom of your distributor, look for a dimple in it. That dimple should be directly in line with the rotor tip.
If the rotor tip and the dimple aren't lined up, drive the roll pin out of the gear and re-install the gear in the correct orientation.
Then re-install the distributor, clock it correctly, and the tach cable will fit right up.
If the rotor tip and the dimple aren't lined up, drive the roll pin out of the gear and re-install the gear in the correct orientation.
Then re-install the distributor, clock it correctly, and the tach cable will fit right up.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
If you don't want to move the oil pump with a screw driver as someone else suggested previously, you can advance the oil pump shaft and the distributor one tooth at time very easily.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: texas
i bought a mallory distributor a year ago and also the 90 degree adapter. the mallory's tach fitting is facing the passenger fenderwall when installed correctly with number 1 in the right place. hence the adapter. well the adapter broke fter about 1 week. been running without a tach ever since. i tried taking the tach drive gear out and then reinstalling it on the correct side facing the drivers fender, but then the tach was running in reverse. so clocking the distributer will solve this?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
If you clock the dist in the correct position the stock cable will work. Just pull your dist and put it back in the correct way. It is about a 5 minute job to do it correctly.
I fried my cable not doing it correctly...here is the paper Lars wrote, there is also information in the GM shop manual for setting it up for the Vette..basically you shift the plug wires on the cap 1 to the left(counter clockwise)
http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...stallation.pdf
