Changing Tach in a '75
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 593
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From: Warrenville IL
Changing Tach in a '75
Can I change the tack without removing the LH dash pad? I'd like to do it with only removing the top pad. Any chance I can get away with that? I'm not sure I can reach the lower pass-side screw if I do that. I'm pretty sure I can get to the upper ones.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I think it is possible. Cant remember ever doing a tach, but I have had Speedos out that way.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
If you are removing the top dash pad, you are about halfway there in removing the cluster from the car. For that reason I recommend you remove the cluster and change out the tach on your bench.
The attaching points for the tach (and speed-o) to the cluster are really quite fragile. On an older cluster, they are even more so. It is very easy to over tighten the screws that hold the tach to the cluster and split the plastic mounting points. If this happens, you may have trouble getting it to sit correctly. I've seen many clusters that have had the mounting points split over the years, so I am very careful in tightening the screws.
I've always removed the cluster to work on the gauges, but I wouldn't be surprised if you can do it from the top as wombvette suggests. The hardest part of removing the cluster once you lower the column is getting to all the cables and light sockets on the back of the cluster. With the top dash pad out, that should be a lot easier.
Good luck... GUSTO
The attaching points for the tach (and speed-o) to the cluster are really quite fragile. On an older cluster, they are even more so. It is very easy to over tighten the screws that hold the tach to the cluster and split the plastic mounting points. If this happens, you may have trouble getting it to sit correctly. I've seen many clusters that have had the mounting points split over the years, so I am very careful in tightening the screws.
I've always removed the cluster to work on the gauges, but I wouldn't be surprised if you can do it from the top as wombvette suggests. The hardest part of removing the cluster once you lower the column is getting to all the cables and light sockets on the back of the cluster. With the top dash pad out, that should be a lot easier.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 593
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From: Warrenville IL
Thanks guys. I've got a full 2nd pad, speedo and tach so I've got spare parts.
My fear is that I pull the top pad, pop the top two screws and then can't get my big meat hook and tiny screwdriver down to the lower screw.
The good news is it sounds like it is doable.
My fear is that I pull the top pad, pop the top two screws and then can't get my big meat hook and tiny screwdriver down to the lower screw.
The good news is it sounds like it is doable.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Why?
I think you get to the point of diminishing returns when you try to avoid taking something apart to get to something under it.
Kinda like the guy who was asking a while back, if you could replace a noisey lifter w/out pulling the intake manifold. He wanted to go through the distributor hole. Sure, I guess anything's possible ....
But after messin' with it for a while, it's just easier to disassemble the parts in the proper order and reassemble them. What may appear to be a short cut for a pain in the butt job can actually take longer to do.
Kinda like the guy who was asking a while back, if you could replace a noisey lifter w/out pulling the intake manifold. He wanted to go through the distributor hole. Sure, I guess anything's possible ....
But after messin' with it for a while, it's just easier to disassemble the parts in the proper order and reassemble them. What may appear to be a short cut for a pain in the butt job can actually take longer to do.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville NC
I recently installed new gauges in my car. I found it very easy to just drop the steering colum and take out the lh side pad. Everything is very brittle with age. Even with being easy I still managed to break one of the blue gauge holders. They are hard to come by for a decent price. So in short I recommend you just take lh side off.
