C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Slow Tach??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 07:50 PM
  #1  
Theiskell's Avatar
Theiskell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Default Slow Tach??

I changed over to an electronic tach and it works but it seems slow. When I rev the motor up in park, if I do it slowly it appears to read correct. If I raise the rpms quickly it falls way behind. It does the same thing going down the road. I don’t have a tach filter on it so I don’t think that is the problem. Could this be a board problem?
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:41 PM
  #2  
Ron R's Avatar
Ron R
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Default

I didn't know Microsoft was in the tach business now...
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 08:50 PM
  #3  
Theiskell's Avatar
Theiskell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Default

Tach board it does have one, doesn’t it???
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 11:45 PM
  #4  
33Chevy's Avatar
33Chevy
Racer
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Champlain New York
Default

Theiskell...here a copy/paste of some tach info I got from Ebay seller "tandjudyg" some time ago. I saved the "auction" information as reference for future use, so here it is..in it's original format.

Hope it helps!

Ed

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Corvette, 1975 to 1982 New Tachometer Circuit Boards,These boards are calibrated to read correctly for the year of your Corvette,it come with instructions and 1 year warranty.Must specify the year of your Corvette if the winning bidder. ****Note,This is my product, and my words ,all the information below is from my own knowledge, testing, experiences, a 35 year love affair with Corvettes., and not copied or taken from any one else.


TACHOMETER NOT WORKING ON YOUR 1975 TO 1982 CORVETTE ?.HERE ARE SOME HELPFULL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CHECK AND FIX YOUR TACH PROBLEMS

Be aware that there is an aftermarket tachometer circuit board made Overseas for 1975-82 Corvette.These product do not work, They short out when installed, so now it comes with washer to cure the problem, they are not calibrated, so they don't read correctly not even close,and no instructions or 1 year warranty. Bottom line is they don't work. They don't tell you that their circuit boards are not calibrated in their ads, but people think they are, do it yourself and save. The poor person who purchases these boards think he must have other problems with the tach, not knowing he could not possibly make these boards work correctly, if at all.


..
1. The tachometer circuit board is the most likely problem why the tach is not working, or working correctly, but not always. On 1975-76 Corvette tach the printed circuit board usually show a burned spot, actually melts the thin copper wire and the problem is obvious. 1977 to 1982 circuit boards don't , and you can't tell by looking at it.
2. Checks to do to see if the tachometer is working for 1975 to 1982 Corvettes, or if 12 volts or ground are missing, or the signal from the distributor is missing. The tach needle usually stays about 1000 to 1500 RPMs ,when the vehicle is off, this is normal .Turn the key to the on position engine not running, the needle should go to zero. If the needle goes to zero this indicates the tach is working and 12 volts and ground are present. If the needle does not move,either the circuit board is bad or 12 volts or ground are missing to the tach. Remove the tach from the dash and apply 12 volts and ground, tach needle should go to zero if working. On 1978 to 1982 Tachs, the Speedo and Tach housing's main wire connection causes problems and should be checked. Now , start the engine, if the tach does not move off zero, the signal from the distributor is missing, the likely problem is the tach filter, follow the wire from the distributor cap, you can't miss it, about the size of your thumb. Use a wire and bypass the tach filter all together.(Remove , unclip both ends completely) If the tach works now ,that your problem.The Tach filter also, if not working correctly makes the tach work erratically, jumps around, etc. bypass it if you think it's bad. On a lot of 1978 to 82 Corvette the problem is the tach is reading to high, 1000 to 2000 RPM's or more to high, Circuit board is bad, you need a new board. Also on 1978-82, sometimes the needle pegs past 7000 RPMs and stays there. It stay there because it can't get back to zero because it's bottoming out .You need to move it back to zero by hand, take the lens off and move it back. If the needle pegs to the bottom again either on the zero side or 7000 side, then the board is bad.
3.All these instructions assume we are dealing with a factory tach and wiring etc, that has not been messed with or replaced, etc. NOTE, if the needle is removed for any reason, you can NOT just put it back on at any place and expect it to read right.You must rezero the tach needle. To rezero the needle 12 volts and ground must be applied to the tach, then the needle must be set on so it reads zero. Also REZEROING is NOT CALIBRATION . Also, switching circuit boards, 1978-79 only, 1980-82 only. 1980 to 82 tachs have a hole for the choke light, 1978-79 don't have this hole.1978-79 tachs Calibrate differently from 1980 to 82. Another problem in warmer climates, the needle has a dampening effect, there is oil inside the meter head, if this dry's up, the needle swings freely and causes it not to settle down , it fluctuate a lot .A new circuit board will not fix this problem.

4. . *** Note, the original G.M., Delco circuit board sold over the counter were not calibrated, so buying a new old stock (N.O.S. )board will not make your tach work.

J. Gardner ,1975-82 Corvettes, Bottom Line my circuit boards work. Email, Jtandjudyg@aol.com
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 01:16 AM
  #5  
Theiskell's Avatar
Theiskell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Default

33chevy Thanks for the info, I will check some of the recommendations tomorrow. One question on all of this. If the ground or 12 volts were not hooked up how could the tach still work?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 02:10 AM
  #6  
TimAT's Avatar
TimAT
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by Theiskell
I changed over to an electronic tach and it works but it seems slow. When I rev the motor up in park, if I do it slowly it appears to read correct. If I raise the rpms quickly it falls way behind. It does the same thing going down the road. I don’t have a tach filter on it so I don’t think that is the problem. Could this be a board problem?
It's the operator.....




Is this an original GM or an aftermarket tach? Aftermarket stuff doesn't use a filter.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 11:48 AM
  #7  
Theiskell's Avatar
Theiskell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by TimAT
It's the operator.....




Is this an original GM or an aftermarket tach? Aftermarket stuff doesn't use a filter.
Tim,
It's out of a 75 so original GM
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Slow Tach??





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:38 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE