Can I replace tach cable WITHOUT pulling the dash??
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Can I replace tach cable WITHOUT pulling the dash??
I have no problem pulling the driver's dash (got it down to less than an hour, including removing the steering column!) but would rather not. Something always seems to come loose (or break) when I do it...
You guys know of a trick to replacing the tach cable without pulling the dash? Cable broke, new one on order from Willcox!
Thanks in advance...
You guys know of a trick to replacing the tach cable without pulling the dash? Cable broke, new one on order from Willcox!
Thanks in advance...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I did mine (didn't know any better) without taking out the dash.
You should be able to reach up and pop the clip that holds it into the tach. Then massage it out of the firewall with the grommet.
Installing it was a little harder, I had a buddy turn the cable out in the engine compartment while I lined it up on the tach so that the square went into the socket properly
I also added one of the 90 degree adapters since my cable had a hellofa turn in it at the distributor. It broke right there so I figure that was something that should be added. No problems since
Mooser
You should be able to reach up and pop the clip that holds it into the tach. Then massage it out of the firewall with the grommet.
Installing it was a little harder, I had a buddy turn the cable out in the engine compartment while I lined it up on the tach so that the square went into the socket properly
I also added one of the 90 degree adapters since my cable had a hellofa turn in it at the distributor. It broke right there so I figure that was something that should be added. No problems since
Mooser
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Thanks Mooser,
I have actually done it in the past. Well I had to reconnect it to the back of the tach, did it with some extra long needle nose pliers, I remember it was a SOB getting at it..
I was hoping somebody had some secret "trick" but guess not. I will give it a quick try before pulling the dash...
Thanks,
Rob
I have actually done it in the past. Well I had to reconnect it to the back of the tach, did it with some extra long needle nose pliers, I remember it was a SOB getting at it..
I was hoping somebody had some secret "trick" but guess not. I will give it a quick try before pulling the dash...
Thanks,
Rob
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rob,
I found that spending a few minutes taking the seat out lets you get a good look, and room to get your hand up there, pretty easily.
As my back gets older it sems to be worth the few minutes .
Regards,
Alan
I found that spending a few minutes taking the seat out lets you get a good look, and room to get your hand up there, pretty easily.
As my back gets older it sems to be worth the few minutes .
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
This means that your distributor is not installed in the correct position. No adapter required if it's positioned properly.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
when you go to remove the old cable.. take it loose from the distributor first and then push a bit on the housing toward the firewall. This will take some of the tension off the cable so the clip will remove easier..
Willcox
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
So yes, I contorted myself (WITH the driver's seat in!) and yes I can get my fingers on the clip at the rear of the tach. Now to release it while the wife gently tugs...
As soon as my friends at Willcox get my cable to me (OK, UPS) I'll get to the install!!
Thanks everybody!
As soon as my friends at Willcox get my cable to me (OK, UPS) I'll get to the install!!
Thanks everybody!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Of course now I'll have to have another look and compare it to Paul74's picture there and my old Lars papers from the last time I had the distributor apart
Definitely didn't know that about the 68, wonder why it went like that
Mooser
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Just did it last weekend.
Mind you I had the entire dash apart last summer....Imagine how stupid I feel now!
Anyway, I recommend removing the hvac tube that runs from the driver side left knee vent under the column, then reaching up behind the the driver side right knee vent toward the gauge...feel around and you'll find it.
Mind you I had the entire dash apart last summer....Imagine how stupid I feel now!
Anyway, I recommend removing the hvac tube that runs from the driver side left knee vent under the column, then reaching up behind the the driver side right knee vent toward the gauge...feel around and you'll find it.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Taunton Ma
Ok here is what i found when i did mine. I have a convertible so with the extra braces under the dash i couldn't get my hands up there. But if you loosen the dash and drop the steering column a little just to give you a little room. Then, here is the trick remove the bezel where the wiper switch is you will be able to reach it from the top. I had the old one out and the new one in in less than five minutes. Mine does not have AC so not sure if that will be an issue. Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 471
Likes: 3
So yes, I contorted myself (WITH the driver's seat in!) and yes I can get my fingers on the clip at the rear of the tach. Now to release it while the wife gently tugs...
As soon as my friends at Willcox get my cable to me (OK, UPS) I'll get to the install!!
Thanks everybody!
As soon as my friends at Willcox get my cable to me (OK, UPS) I'll get to the install!!
Thanks everybody!
